Mr BALDWIN - 1994-09-01
Can the minister inform the House of the importance to the Northern Territory buffalo industry of the importation of riverine buffalo?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, my department, in cooperation with the Buffalo Industry Council, contributed towards the importation of 2 riverine buffalo into the Northern Territory. The buffalo were sourced from the United States and are affectionately known as Bill and Hilary. The importation of these 2 animals is significant. In fact, it represents the first importation of buffalo into the Northern Territory since 1886. Buffalo in the Territory originated from Indonesia, more particularly, Timor. The riverine buffalo gives the potential for a bigger, faster-growing beast which leads, in turn, to better productivity in the industry. We intend to
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breed them with the local stock. Obviously, the outcome of that cannot be guaranteed, but we are confident that crossing the riverine bloodstock with the local buffalo will provide the desired results.
In conjunction with the Buffalo Industry Council, the department intends to import another 4 bulls into the Territory, and at least one producer is looking to import privately a bull and a heifer. The potential this represents is significant, and not only in terms of increased meat production. It will lead to the opening up of markets in South-East Asia for the exportation of stud bulls and, more significantly, the opening up in Australia of a buffalo milk industry. The epicures in this House would be well aware that mozzarella cheese is made from buffalo milk. The establishment of a buffalo milk industry in the Northern Territory will allow Australia to produce authentic mozzarella cheese rather than the form that some of us are subjected to which is a good imitation, but an imitation nonetheless, of the original product. I will keep the House informed on the progress of these bulls. I am sure that the member for Nelson will be interested in further erections in the rural area.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, my department, in cooperation with the Buffalo Industry Council, contributed towards the importation of 2 riverine buffalo into the Northern Territory. The buffalo were sourced from the United States and are affectionately known as Bill and Hilary. The importation of these 2 animals is significant. In fact, it represents the first importation of buffalo into the Northern Territory since 1886. Buffalo in the Territory originated from Indonesia, more particularly, Timor. The riverine buffalo gives the potential for a bigger, faster-growing beast which leads, in turn, to better productivity in the industry. We intend to
Page 146
breed them with the local stock. Obviously, the outcome of that cannot be guaranteed, but we are confident that crossing the riverine bloodstock with the local buffalo will provide the desired results.
In conjunction with the Buffalo Industry Council, the department intends to import another 4 bulls into the Territory, and at least one producer is looking to import privately a bull and a heifer. The potential this represents is significant, and not only in terms of increased meat production. It will lead to the opening up of markets in South-East Asia for the exportation of stud bulls and, more significantly, the opening up in Australia of a buffalo milk industry. The epicures in this House would be well aware that mozzarella cheese is made from buffalo milk. The establishment of a buffalo milk industry in the Northern Territory will allow Australia to produce authentic mozzarella cheese rather than the form that some of us are subjected to which is a good imitation, but an imitation nonetheless, of the original product. I will keep the House informed on the progress of these bulls. I am sure that the member for Nelson will be interested in further erections in the rural area.
Page 147
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016