Asian appetites to drive Oz farming

 NFF president Jock Laurie says the plan has the potential to address many of the farming sector’s concerns about food production and availability. 

“The vast majority of Australians have never had to worry about where their next meal comes from, as we are lucky to have a wide availability of healthy, fresh and affordable food.

“But with a growing population at home and abroad, and only limited resources from which our farmers have to grow an ever increasing amount of food, the issues of food availability and  supply are real.”

The federation’s submission called for innovation and productivity improvements by farmers. Talks starting this month in towns and cities across Australia will suggest what should be in the National Food Plan. Laurie says the paper points to R&D and innovation for sustainable food production, plus a need to seize new market opportunities.

“We particularly welcome the Government’s position… on the need to increase and improve the R&D model in place in Australia and to develop a national strategy for the consistent application of technology, including genetic modification. 

“The green paper also identifies the need to examine better ways to manage supplier and supermarket relationships; the need to source information to better understand Australia’s infrastructure requirements; and the importance of trade market access and the liberalisation of markets – all areas the NFF and our members have taken to governments as priorities, and all issues that have emerged as key issues in the development of the Blueprint for Australian Agriculture.”

The Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, says Australia has a diverse food supply and a high level of food security. The National Food Plan green paper provides an opportunity to bring together all of our policies on food for the first time and look at options for building on our strengths, says Ludwig.

“We need to support Australia’s farmers and processors to produce more food with fewer inputs. We also need to help ensure these goods can move quickly and cost-effectively to market and make sure overseas market opportunities, such as growing demand in Asia, are open to Australian businesses.”