The Environmental Portfolio covers a wide range of activities that aim to conserve and enhance Australia's natural resources. This involves considering decisions we make which impact on key components of the environment such as the soil, water, vegetation and fauna, while also taking into account horticulture's effect on the whole catchment, i.e. through chemical and energy management.

Australia's horticultural producers are already leading the way in environmental management. For example, horticultural crops account for only 17% of total irrigation us but produce more than 40% of Australia's irrigated production. Figures suggest that for every 100 megalitres of water used in horticulture $250,000 and four jobs are generated at the farm gate and approximately $0.5 billion to the economy.

There is a broad scope of investment in this area - from industry specific projects through to nationally significant programs. The value of the industry investment in 2005 was $1.7 million, while an additional $1.4 million was provided by the Australian Government to support the development of environmental assurance guidelines and the coordination of natural resource management at the national horticulture scale.

To view key investment areas for the Environment Portfolio click here.

The Environment Strategic Plan - 2006-2009 lists the key priority areas for the HAL Environment Portfolio to undertake to position the Australian horticulture industry as a good environmental steward.

To view the Strategies and Objectives of the Environment Portfolio click here.