The CEO of Riverina Winegrape Growers, Jeremy Cass, has issued a dire plea to both the New South Wales State and Federal Governments, urging immediate action to avert a potential collapse of the region’s wine industry. In an open letter, Cass highlighted the growing concerns among local growers who fear that the Riverina’s reputation as a key wine-producing area may be at risk of disappearing.
Published on the Riverina Winegrape Growers’ Facebook page last Friday, the first part of the letter reveals the deep distress of local growers as they face yet another harvest season without any meaningful changes to improve their financial situation. Cass pointed out the paradox of the government’s focus on issues like modern slavery, while local wine producers struggle to stay afloat.
“We are being questioned by the government about modern slavery, but the reality is our growers aren’t earning enough to survive, let alone employ workers,” Cass wrote. He emphasized that both state and federal authorities must recognize the gravity of the situation and intervene with decisive, positive measures. “Are we looking at the end of wine production in the Riverina MIA?” he questioned, underscoring the severity of the industry’s plight.
In a follow-up letter published today, Cass presented a series of potential solutions drawn from global examples of regions that have faced similar challenges. These proposals aim to revitalize the local wine industry and ensure its sustainability, drawing on strategies that have successfully supported wine industries elsewhere in the world.
Cass’s calls come at a critical time for the Riverina wine sector, which has been grappling with significant financial strain in recent years. The region’s future as a wine producer is now at a crossroads, and the need for government action has never been more urgent.
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