The announced commitment by Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins to develop a new national food security strategy – Feeding Australia – if re-elected, has been welcomed by GrainGrowers as a beneficial step forward.
The commitment of $3.5m to develop a collaborative approach to address challenges facing the food system was announced today at the annual Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Outlook conference.
GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said the issues around food security deserved focused attention from all sides of politics.
Ms Gawel said there was no doubt that food security in Australia had become increasingly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, trade conflicts, climate change, and geopolitical risks.
"The grains industry plays a crucial role in Australia's food security and that of our trading partners who depend on our exports. Collaboration across all sectors is essential to build resilience, and we are committed to working with the government to meet these challenges and ensure we can continue providing food, regardless of the challenges ahead."
Ms Gawel also welcomed the commitment of the minister that the government would strategically examine the potential to grow a biofuels feedstock industry.
"Our position is that a coordinated National Feedstock Strategy can ensure Australia can provide a sustainable, consistent supply of feedstocks for low-carbon fuels, by leveraging its expertise in grain and oilseed production."
Ms Gawel said GrainGrowers, along with the sugar and cane sectors, have been pushing for this development to help maximise the potential of Australia's vast agricultural resources.
"The Australian grain industry is well-positioned to play a key role in low-carbon liquid fuel development, leveraging our expertise in grain and oilseed production to support a more sustainable energy future.”
Ms Gawel said from the grower's perspective, getting the strategy right will deliver significant benefits.
"The right approach will mean more domestic buyers for our oilseeds and market certainly at a time of growing trade protectionism and global volatility."
In the broader sense, she said, a National Feedstock Strategy will drive investment, support regional economies, and create new job opportunities.
"Better using our available resources will put Australian agriculture front and centre of this exciting new opportunity," Ms Gawel said.
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