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| Primary Industries and Regions SA | |
|---|---|
| Name | Primary Industries and Regions SA |
| Native name | PIRSA |
| Formation | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Region served | South Australia |
| Parent agency | Government of South Australia |
Primary Industries and Regions SA
Primary Industries and Regions SA is a South Australian statutory agency responsible for supporting agriculture in South Australia, fisheries of South Australia, and regional economic development across the Eyre Peninsula, Barossa Valley, and Limestone Coast. It operates within the administrative framework of the Government of South Australia and collaborates with institutions such as the South Australian Research and Development Institute, Charles Sturt University, University of Adelaide, CSIRO and industry bodies like the Grain Producers SA and Dairy Australia. PIRSA provides services intersecting with policies from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, regional programs tied to the Regional Development Australia network and statutory instruments including provisions of the Primary Industries and Regions SA Act.
PIRSA traces origins to post-war agricultural administrative arrangements in South Australia that evolved through amalgamations influenced by inquiries involving the South Australian Parliament, ministers such as those in the cabinets of John Bannon and Mike Rann, and structural reforms mirrored in agencies like the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (Victoria). Its institutional lineage includes predecessors such as the Department of Agriculture, South Australia and entities associated with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), with reform milestones occurring alongside broader Australian reforms in the 1990s and 2000s influenced by national debates involving the Productivity Commission, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and intergovernmental councils like the Council of Australian Governments.
PIRSA's statutory mandate aligns with legislative and policy frameworks established by the Government of South Australia and interacts with federal frameworks administered by the Australian Government. Responsibilities encompass supporting primary producers represented by associations such as the Sheep Producers South Australia and Wine Grape Growers Australia, managing resources in coordination with agencies like the Department for Environment and Water (South Australia), and delivering biosecurity measures consistent with standards from the World Organisation for Animal Health and regulations articulated by the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth). PIRSA also implements regional development initiatives linked to programs promoted by Regional Development Australia Barossa, Regional Development Australia Far North, and industry extension services cooperating with bodies such as AgriFutures Australia.
The organizational structure comprises executive leadership reporting to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development (South Australia), supported by branches specializing in policy, industry development, biosecurity and research delivery through SARDI. The agency coordinates with statutory offices including the South Australian Fisheries Management Act authorities, engages with technical partners like the Grains Research and Development Corporation, and maintains field networks across regions such as Yorke Peninsula and Murraylands. Governance arrangements reflect interactions with the Auditor-General of South Australia and corporate oversight similar to offices found within the Department of Treasury and Finance (South Australia).
PIRSA delivers programs spanning extension and advisory services to sectors represented by Citrus Australia, Seafood Industry Australia, and Australian Pork Limited, offers disaster recovery and resilience assistance aligned with national schemes coordinated by the National Recovery and Resilience Agency, and provides market access and trade support that engages with trade instruments overseen by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Services include animal health surveillance linked to standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health, aquaculture development comparable to projects in Tasmania and Western Australia, and grant programs administered in coordination with regional entities such as Local Government Association of South Australia.
Regional development activity targets growth corridors including the Barossa Valley wine sector, grain production zones in the Mallee (Australia), tuna and rock lobster fisheries off the Eyre Peninsula, and horticulture precincts in the Riverland. PIRSA's sectoral focus engages producers and peak bodies including Wine Australia, GrainGrowers Limited, Australian Fresh Produce Alliance, and regional councils such as the City of Whyalla and District Council of Mount Remarkable to facilitate infrastructure projects, freight logistics linkages to ports like Port Adelaide and Port Lincoln, and investment attraction initiatives comparable to programs promoted by the South Australian Tourism Commission.
Research delivery is coordinated through SARDI and partnerships with academic institutions such as the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide, and with national research bodies including the CSIRO and sector RDCs like the Cotton Research and Development Corporation. Biosecurity responsibilities involve coordinated responses to incursions modeled on national emergency responses seen in the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season and animal disease preparedness activities aligned with the Australian Veterinary Association. Regulatory functions span fisheries management, aquaculture licensing regimes, and plant health surveillance intersecting with instruments of the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) and state legislation administered through statutory offices comparable to those in other jurisdictions such as New South Wales.
PIRSA's funding is a combination of state appropriation via the South Australian Budget and revenue from cost-recovered services, grants from Commonwealth programs administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and project funding from organisations like the Australian Research Council and RDCs including Meat & Livestock Australia. Governance is exercised through ministerial accountability to the Parliament of South Australia, oversight mechanisms involving the Audit Office of South Australia, and collaborative arrangements with industry bodies such as Australian Seafood Industry Council and regional development boards like Regional Development Australia Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island.
Category:Government agencies of South Australia