Foreword

Despite Australia being one of the most food secure countries in the world, recent developments both at home and abroad have shown that food security presents real and growing challenges to the nation. Food security is already a challenge for many in our community—particularly those on lower incomes and in remote communities. COVID-19 and recent flood events both impacted the integrity of the food supply chain. The war in Ukraine has driven up grain prices and the cost of energy and fuel. Outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease in Indonesia have highlighted biosecurity risks to our food system—as has the arrival of Varroa mite on Australia’s shores. Food security is not something that any of us can take for granted. It requires ongoing attention from industry, the community and governments.

The report’s key recommendation is the formulation of a comprehensive National Food Plan, with clear objectives and measurable targets set out in regular updates and action plans. The national food plan will engage the whole food system, from paddock to plate and beyond. It will deal with the production and distribution of food, supply chain resilience, access to food, good nutrition (diet and health), and the management and disposal of food waste and other waste products. It will address the health implications of the food system. It will also address the national security implications of food security—identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, particularly regarding food system infrastructure and vital inputs. The plan will be overseen by a Minister for Food, residing in the portfolio of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Minister will be supported by a National Food Council, made up of industry and community experts, to advise the Minister for Food on matters pertaining to the food system, and support the development, implementation, monitoring and evolution of the National Food Plan. As part of this process, the food supply chain should be mapped and vulnerabilities in the supply chain identified and addressed.

While Australia broadly speaking produces far more food than it consumes, there are two production sectors that require attention from government—diary and seafood. The ongoing decline in raw milk production needs to be addressed. Australia needs a strong dairy industry for nutritional and food security. Australia is heavily dependent on imports to meet its demand for seafood, while having potentially rich sources of untapped seafood resources available to it. A specific strategy for expanding the seafood sector must be developed to optimise resource use while ensuring the economic and environmental sustainability of the industry.

Innovation has the capacity to improve, and in some directions revolutionise, the production of food. There are real opportunities for value adding within the food supply chain, increasing food security and economic development. Opportunities for expanding innovation and value adding in food production must be pursued, with a view to increasing productivity and enhancing food security. New industries—such as alternative proteins, protected cropping and vertical farming—have the capacity to enhance food security while promoting economic development and increased employment. Governments at all levels should commit to supporting these new industries.

There are significant challenges around the cost and availability of inputs to food production and distribution, such as fuel, energy, labour and fertiliser. These challenges around the cost and availability of inputs have the capacity to undermine food security. Local manufacturing of inputs has the capacity to significantly improve food security and should be pursued wherever it is economical to do so. There needs to be a focus on skills development and encouraging people to see the wide range of careers available in the food sector—especially those at the cutting edge of technical and scientific innovation. Food production is much more than growing crops, even when you are growing crops.

Addressing food waste is a key aspect of improving food security. Tonnes of food worth billions of dollars goes to waste every year. Finding ways to prevent food waste and better utilise waste food is critical. There are significant opportunities both to prevent waste, through more efficient supply chains; and better utilise waste food, including through novel foods, animal feed and bioenergy. Better connecting vulnerable food consumers with the supply chain through food donation is one means of achieving this. The Committee has recommended a number of measures to better manage food waste.

Climate change represents a real threat to Australia’s food security. The Government must meet this threat by continuing to support research and development that will reduce agricultural emissions and improve the environmental sustainability of agricultural production. The work of Sea Forest (emissions reduction in cattle) and the Mulloon Institute (landscape restoration) highlight the possibilities of meeting the challenges of climate change through innovation. These examples of applied research show what can be achieved; but they also highlight the barriers to change, both in terms of access to funding and blind spots in policy making. Governments at all levels should work to ensure that such innovation is encouraged and supported by government policy.

Biosecurity threats represent a real and significant risk to Australia’s food security. Australia has some of the best biosecurity systems and protocols in the world, but nearly every major agriculture industry is vulnerable to a major pest or disease outbreak. Australia must continue to have strict biosecurity systems and protocols to provide the food sector with the highest level of protection possible. The Government must ensure that biosecurity is adequately funded, and that everyone understands their responsibility for protecting Australia from pest and disease incursions.

Food insecurity is a major challenge for Australia. Despite producing more food than we consume, food insecurity affects significant portions of the population. Resources need to be applied to measuring the extent of the problem and identifying sustainable solutions. A wide range of solutions are available, including better education around food and nutrition, providing school meals, increased research in the nexus between food and health, and the development of local and community food networks that support improved access to healthy food. In addition to this, remote communities in Australia’s north face a set of unique challenges brought about by isolation, inadequate infrastructure, and the impacts of the wet season. Resolving these challenges requires investment by governments in community specific solutions.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the inquiry. The Committee received a great deal of high-quality evidence from across the nation from people committed to the food security of the nation from a range of perspectives. In particular, I would like to thank the individuals and organisations that hosted the Committee at various sites around the country and who provided insights into their contributions to the food security of Australians. I also thank my Committee colleagues and the secretariat for their enthusiasm and hard work during the inquiry and for their contribution to the report.

Meryl Swanson MP

Chair