Summary

A significant barrier to growth of the Australian Native Essential Oils industry is a lack of cohesive information regarding:
i) Quality for grading and authentication
ii) Safety in transport and usage
iii) Medicinal properties
iv) Other commercial applications.
In order to develop the Australian Native Oils industry to a GVP exceeding $10 million per annum the following outcomes will be required:
1) Developing industry standards for oil quality and identification
2) Creating a Research & Development database for growers, sellers and buyers of emerging Australian Native Oils which includes information to assist with their regulation, marketing and distribution.
3) Developing a seed bank and herbarium reference collection for retention of selected varieties of Australian essential oil bearing plants.

Program

New and Emerging Industries

Research Organisation

Essential Oil Producers Association of Australia

Objective Summary

1) Publish industry standards for selected Australian Native Essential oils which will serve as a reference for buyers, sellers, producers and regulatory bodies.
2) Develop an electronic database which includes information specific to each oil regarding applications, chemical and physical characteristics and regulatory information such as Safety Data sheets and IFRA statements. The database will specifically include information regarding essential oil efficacy, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and cytotoxic activity.
3) Collect and collate botanical and seed collections from characteristic essential oil producing plant populations to be available for use preparation of reference oils for research, genotyping and potential agricultural development. In particular procure and develop varieties with oil quality similar to that of current commercial grade Eucalyptus oil and examine Melaleuca species with potential for commercial development.
4) Develop a seed bank and herbarium reference collection for retention of key varieties of Australian essential oil bearing plants