For the first time, Australia's food businesses and consumers have a road map for the future, with the release of the National Food Plan today.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Joe Ludwig, launched the country's first National Food Plan in Brisbane today at the Rocklea markets, announcing new initiatives which will create new opportunities and steer the way for the future of our food from paddock to plate.
"The National Food Plan is a roadmap to create new opportunities for Australia's food industry,” Ludwig said.
"Australia's food is the envy of the world, as we produce more than twice the food we consume, we need to remain focused on finding new markets for our high quality exports.
"Like others around the world, there are challenges including climate change, population growth, diet-related health issues, and competition for resources. There are also enormous opportunities, including the rise of Asia.”
The National Food Plan is underpinned by the four key themes of - thriving industry, people and sustainability. The Plan includes 16 goals and is supported by new initiatives.
A few highlights include: $28.5 million for an Asian Food Markets Research Fund to support agriculture and food industries to capitalise on opportunities offered by growing Asian markets; a Productivity Commission review to identify priority areas for reforming food supply chain regulations and; the establishment of an Australian Council on Food to engage with industry and community leaders on food.
The National Food Plan also sets the goal of building the skills base of the agriculture and fisheries workforce.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the food industry will change as production, processing and logistics become more complex and reliant on technology.
“Australia will need more people with expertise in food and nutrition sciences, laboratory sciences, engineering, information technology and advanced soil mapping," he said.
