Advocacy Update February 2024
In February 2024, we have written a letter to the Australian Prime Minister from the food industry advocates for the implementation of the recommendations from the "Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond" report
You will be aware that the RWTA are part of the National Food Supply Chain Alliance.
In February 2024, we have written a letter to the Australian Prime Minister from the food industry advocates for the implementation of the recommendations from the "Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond" report.
It emphasises the importance of developing a sustainable food sector, enhancing supply chain resilience, adopting new technologies, and investing in food manufacturing. Highlighting vulnerabilities exposed by COVID-19 and other challenges, the industry calls for a comprehensive, nationally coordinated National Food Plan, aligning with the report’s recommendations for future food security and economic development. The letter represents a unified industry stance on leveraging the report to guide Australia's food policy direction. At the food leaders forum the issue of planning for supply chain disruptions was deemed to be the most important issue to be tackled once a national food plan had been approved.
For those somewhat time poor, this is a brief overview of the 227 page report.
"Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond"
The "Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond" report investigates Australia's food security amidst global and local challenges such as climate change, biosecurity threats, and supply chain disruptions. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive National Food Plan, focusing on production, distribution, nutrition, and waste management, overseen by a Minister for Food and a National Food Council. Key sectors like dairy and seafood require targeted strategies for sustainability. Innovation, local input production, and addressing food waste are highlighted as crucial for enhancing food security. The report also stresses the importance of adapting to climate change and strengthening biosecurity to protect agriculture, alongside measures to address food insecurity within the community.
The 35 recommendations made are summarised below.
The Committee advises the Australian Government to work with State, Territory Governments, and stakeholders to create a National Food Plan focused on food and nutritional security. This plan should include defined goals, measurable outcomes, and be regularly updated and reviewed.
It's recommended that a Minister for Food be appointed within the Prime Minister's portfolio, tasked with overseeing the development, ongoing management, and success measurement of the National Food Plan.
The establishment of a National Food Council, comprising industry and community experts, is recommended to guide the Minister for Food on food system issues and aid in the National Food Plan's development and progress.
The Committee suggests the development of a strategy to revitalise the Australian dairy industry, aiming to boost profitability and sustainability, and outlining necessary resources and methods for achievement.
A strategy to grow the seafood sector is proposed, focusing on resource optimization and ensuring the industry's economic and environmental sustainability.
Mandatory application of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, a review of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 for fair practices, and regular reviews by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission of perishable food supply chains are recommended.
The development of a strategy to enhance innovation and value addition in food production is recommended to increase commercial opportunities and improve food security.
It's suggested that mechanisms to foster innovation in food production be established within the National Food Plan framework.
The Committee advises the creation of agriculture job hubs and a regional engagement plan in collaboration with State, Territory Governments, and industry.
Exploring urban agriculture development options with local governments to boost agricultural skills and careers is recommended.
A review aimed at reducing the administrative load on seasonal work employers and facilitating overseas labour use is recommended.
The Australian Government is encouraged to support the expansion of domestic production of essential agricultural inputs like fertiliser and chemicals.
A strategic plan to safeguard agricultural land from urban expansion and non-agricultural use is recommended in partnership with all government levels.
The development of a National Food Supply Chain Map to identify production locations, transport routes, and vulnerabilities is proposed, alongside exploring technical innovation for data management.
The formulation of a transport resilience plan focusing on food security and optimal distribution centre locations is suggested as part of the National Food Plan.
Implementing the Productivity Commission's recommendations to repeal Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and create a mandatory container terminal operator code is recommended.
A review of the mandatory port code covering grain ports is advised.
Incorporating strategies to eliminate food waste into the National Food Plan, including education, repurposing, and increasing federal funding for food relief, is recommended.
Offering tax incentives for food donations based on the Food Waste Tax Incentive developed by KPMG and the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre is suggested.
Working with industry to develop a system for plastic packaging recovery and recycling is recommended.
Reviewing the application of ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates and considering QR codes on packaging to provide consumer information is suggested.
The development and funding of research focused on creating a circular food economy are recommended.
Supporting early adopters of emissions reduction technologies in agriculture with notices of intent to keep them eligible for Australian Carbon Credit Units is advised.
Collaborating to standardize definitions of natural capital and develop natural capital markets is recommended.
Funding for long-term, environmentally sustainable agricultural production research and development is suggested.
Working with State and Territory Governments to support landscape restoration projects financially is recommended.
A public education campaign to raise biosecurity awareness and protect the food system from incursions is advised.
Ensuring biosecurity funding reflects its importance and stakeholders' responsibilities is recommended.
Conducting household food insecurity surveys every three years using the United States Department of Agriculture model is suggested.
Developing a school curriculum on food and nutrition education and promoting basic cooking skills in collaboration with State and Territory Governments is recommended.
The feasibility of a school meals program is to be considered in partnership with State and Territory Governments.
Developing protocols for the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council to jointly fund food, health, and nutrition research is recommended.
Facilitating the development of improved nutritional guidance, community food projects, and education programs on nutritious food access as part of the National Food Plan is advised.
Recognizing the unique needs of remote communities in the food supply chain and supporting decentralised distribution and subsidised community stores is recommended.
Assessing progress on the recommendations from the 2020 report on food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities is advised.
RWTA in the News
The RWTA has joined the National Food Supply Chain Alliance and we are working together to ensure that the supply chain’s voice is heard.
The RWTA has joined the National Food Supply Chain Alliance and we are working together to ensure that the supply chain’s voice is heard.
The Alliance, which represents every component of the nation’s domestic food supply chain from paddock to plate, is alerting the government to the threats that are unprecedented in scale and that the only solution to stabilising future food price fluctuations and reducing food shortages is to urgently establish the nation’s first ever ‘National Food Security Plan’.
Joined by Members of the Alliance and led by Richard Forbes from the Independent Food Distributors Australia (IFDA), we spoke about the creation of a supply chain strategy regarding resilience in the supply of food, food security and keeping the prices down at a time when they are rising precariously.
In Canberra last week, the Alliance received a good hearing and media coverage.
There have been over 623 mentions of the Alliance and the need for a National Food Security Plan across national and regional media outlets, print, electronic and online (source: AUSVEG, Meltwater)
National Food Security Plan advocacy – From 22-24 November 2022
Total mentions 623
Total Print/Online 299
Total Broadcast 262
Potential Reach 169,000,000
Examples of TV/Radio interviews:
The Project - Here is the link to the story
Sky News - link
3AW Radio - link
News.com.au - link
Media Release - link
The RWTA have joined the National Food Supply Chain Alliance
The National Food Supply Chain Alliance (NFSCA) represents all facets of Australia’s food supply chain
The National Food Supply Chain Alliance (NFSCA) represents all facets of Australia’s food supply chain from farmers, processors, grocers and butchers, independent supermarkets, convenience stores, wholesale suppliers and distributors to food retailers including cafes, restaurants, hotels, and clubs. In total, the nine national food industry associations represent over 160,000 businesses with a combined revenue of a staggering $224 billion and who employ almost 1 million workers.
The Associations include the National Farmers Federation (NFF), Australian Meat Industry Council, (AMIC), Independent Food Distributors Australia (IFDA), Master Grocers Australia (MGA), the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), AUSVEG, Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association and the Refrigerated Warehouse and Transport Association of Australia.
To read more about the National Food Supply Chain Alliance click here, for Media Release click here.
