Australia to charter planes to send fresh food to key markets

Australia's government announced Wednesday that it will provide A$110m to fly local agriculture and fisheries products to key overseas markets, starting with Singapore, the UAE, China, Japan and Hong Kong. The plan, which would see the government charter hundreds of flights full of products such as rock lobsters, beef and dairy to the key markets, was formulated after the coronavirus pandemic led to the cancellation of most of the commercial flights that usually carry fresh products. The flights will leave from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Recent international flight groundings by airlines including Qantas and Virgin Australia have made it impossible to get products such as chilled seafood, red meat, dairy products and some fruit and vegetables to offshore markets. "Getting our export sector back on its feet is crucial to reduce job losses through the crisis and a critical part of the ultimate economic recovery," said Trade Minister Simon Birmingham. The planes will have capacity to carry medical supplies, medicine and equipment back to Australia.<br/>