A $200,000 grant has been announced by the Australian government which will have lasting benefits for sustainably-grown rainforest timbers.

The grant to be delivered through Southern Cross University is being provided to the Subtropical Farm Forestry Association and Specialty Timber Growers Incorporated according to the Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams.

He said the project will involve the two groups assisting their members to promote, process and sell their sustainably-grown rainforest timbers using research to establish best practice in production and processing and achieving premium prices.

Senator Williams said the Australian government’s $13.8 million Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration Pilot Program is giving farmers the skills and resources to take greater control of the supply chain and achieve economies of scale when it comes to negotiating prices for their goods.