Boost for Bush Foods

Last November a new opportunity emerged for Western Australian Aboriginal businesses with the WA State Government launching two practical guides to help Aboriginal businesses increase their representation in Western Australia’s burgeoning bushfoods industry.

The guides were written by leading Indigenous law firm, Terri Janke and Company, in collaboration with Aboriginal businesses and highlight the risks and opportunities for Aboriginal businesses, as well as promoting best practices for industry.

Setting up for success: Bushfoods offers a ‘how-to’ guide that identifies the product development, governance, funding and legal considerations for producing, harvesting, manufacturing, developing and selling bushfoods. Protection of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge for Bushfood Businesses provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities for Aboriginal businesses. It discusses international and national obligations regarding bushfoods, access and benefit sharing, and best practice protocols for the protection of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.

These guides provide general information. If you require specific business or legal advice, it is highly recommended that you contact the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Aboriginal Economic Development Unit by emailing aed@dpird.wa.gov.au or calling 0459 867 908.

The guides are available at https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/ aboriginal-business-development-0

It’s all about perspective! This incredible photo was taken by IPA Coordinator Jacob Loughridge while out working on-Country with the Nyangumarta Rangers (February 2022)