By JONATHON HOWARD
A EUMUNDI ginger farmer is hoping Noosa shoppers will think local and buy local ginger, following a Federal Government decision to allow Fijian-grown ginger into Australia.
Templeton Ginger has been operating in Eumundi since the early 1940s and was established by Allan Templeton.
Mr Templeton was one of the founding members of the Buderim Ginger Growers’ Co-operative, which has nurtured local ginger farmers and helped them produce some of the world’s finest ginger for decades.
The business is today run by third generation ginger farmer Shane Templeton, who carries on the family tradition with both passion and determination.
Shane said the government’s decision to allow imported ginger was a “kick in the guts” to local producers and also risks the introduction of burrowing nematodes (round worm) which could infect local ginger crops and other crops.
Shane said the government’s decision was also putting pressure on his family farm which is spread across 155 acres and which during harvesting employs around 110 staff.
Speculation has also surfaced that the agreement was rushed through in order to strengthen free trade deals with Fiji, as a show of support to the developing nation which recently held elections and struggles to democratise.
“I could not believe how fast this process went through,” Shane said after Fijian ginger hit the supermarket shelves on Friday 19 September.
Shane said the risk of nematodes was now very real and the microscopic worm could also risk banana and citrus crops.
Shane was now asking Noosa residents to make the right choice for the future of local farming.
“The local product is larger and of a greater quality,” he said.
“I would ask that Noosa residents and visitors make the right choice for local farmers and please buy local ginger.”
The controversial government decision to allow the imports was announced in mid-August and came despite a Senate committee recommendation to ban Fijian ginger on the grounds that it was a biosecurity risk.
The Sunshine Coast has long been considered both a national and international ginger producer of the highest standard, based around the Buderim Ginger Factory, and in recent times has extended to include more than 10 operations in Gympie and the Mary Valley and further north to Bundaberg.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Will you be buying the cheaper Fijian-grown ginger? Or would you stick with the local product? Email your thoughts to newsdesk@noosatoday.net.au
