3.1
This chapter considers the key issues discussed during the hearings for the Agriculture, Water and the Environment portfolio on 31 March 2022 and
5 April 2022.
3.2
The committee heard from divisions of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department), and portfolio agencies, in the following order:
Corporate Matters Divisions (Corporate and Business Services; Finance; Information Services; Legal; and People);
Outcome Three Divisions (Agricultural Policy; AGVET Chemicals, Fisheries, Forestry and Engagement; Drought and Bushfire Response; Trade, Market Access and International; Portfolio Strategy; Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences; and Water);
Outcome Four Divisions (Biosecurity Animal; Biosecurity Plant; Biosecurity Operations; Biosecurity Strategy and Reform; Compliance and Enforcement; Exports and Veterinary Services; Plant and Live Animal Exports; and Trade Reform/Digital Trade Initiatives);
Inspector-General of Biosecurity;
Australian Fisheries Management Authority;
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority;
Meat and Livestock Australia Limited;
Australian Wool Innovation;
Horticulture Innovation Australia.
3.3
The Grains Research and Development Corporation were released from the hearing without questioning.
Corporate Matters
3.4
Topics discussed with the Corporate Matters Divisions included:
provision of freedom of information requests within statutory deadlines;
movement of labour into regional areas; and
departmental staffing levels in remote external territories, including Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Outcome Three
3.5
The committee heard evidence from the Agricultural Policy Division and the AGVET Chemicals, Fisheries, Forestry and Engagement Division on
31 March 2022. Topics discussed included:
agriculture workforce shortages;
the Australian Agricultural Visa and memorandum of understanding with Vietnam;
commitment to plant 150 million trees by 2027;
sustainability of the South East Trawl Fishery; and
development of a national fisheries plan.
3.6
Further evidence was heard by all divisions under Outcome Three on
5 April 2022:
extension of the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days Program;
work undertaken by ABARES on the workforce shortage and cost of fresh produce;
Victorian regional forest agreements;
concerns from forest protection advocates about the Code of Forest Practices for Timber Production in Victoria;
interim protections for species threatened by logging;
drought resilience planning; and
support for eight Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs.
Outcome Four
3.7
The committee heard evidence from the biosecurity divisions on
31 March 2022. Topics discussed included:
funding for management of the Japanese encephalitis virus and lumpy skin disease;
trialling of biosecurity robots; and
Indigenous biosecurity rangers.
3.8
Further evidence was heard on 5 April 2022 from all divisions under
Outcome Four. Topics discussed included:
efforts to combat lumpy skin disease, including vaccinations and international research;
allocation of funds towards a horse traceability register;
exports of laboratory animals for research purposes;
costs of training biosecurity dogs;
update on the National Biosecurity Strategy;
training of additional biosecurity officers;
livestock exports during the northern hemisphere summer; and
the department’s investigation into possible payments made by Animals Australia to workers on the Awassi Express vessel.
Inspector-General of Biosecurity
3.9
Mr Rob Delane, Inspector-General of Biosecurity, spoke on a number of topics including:
appointment process of Dr Lloyd Klumpp as the next Inspector-General of Biosecurity;
possible areas for future investigation by the incoming Inspector-General of Biosecurity; and
the review into the plant pest Xylella.
Australian Fisheries Management Authority
3.10
The committee received an update on the activities of the corporation since previous hearings, including:
agency staffing increases;
long term sustainability of the South East Trawl Fishery;
research funding into the spread of the Centrostephanus urchin; and
efforts to combat illegal foreign fishing in Australian waters.
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
3.11
Topics discussed with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) include:
establishment of the APVMA governance board;
improvements in the number of on-time assessments undertaken for ag-vet products and permits; and
progress on the Enabling Technologies Program.
Dairy Australia
3.12
Evidence heard from Dairy Australia canvassed the following topics:
results of the independently run Dairy Poll 2022;
potential financial contributions from the Australian Dairy Products Federation to Dairy Australia; and
effect of the Indian trade agreement on the dairy industry.
Meat and Livestock Australia
3.13
The committee sought evidence from Meat and Livestock Australia on a range of topics, including:
methods of meeting the agricultural industry-wide goal of doubling red meat value by 2030;
research into red Asparagopsis to reduce methane emissions;
overview of the red meat industry’s current international market access;
opportunities available due to the free trade agreement with India; and
potential impact of lumpy skin disease on the red meat industry.
Australian Wool Innovation
3.14
Mr Stuart McCullough, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Wool Innovation, gave an opening statement providing an overview of the agency’s operations, including:
an increase in wool production from previous years;
a reduction in staffing and marketing due to a drop in revenue;
both on-farm and off-farm research projects, particularly the Merino Lifetime Productivity project; and
the challenge of relying on the Chinese market for 90 per cent of exports.
3.15
Topics canvassed during questioning of Australian Wool Innovation included:
negotiations on the Product Environmental Footprint in Europe;
maximising opportunities provided by the trade agreement with India; and
scope to increase processing capacity within Australia.
Horticulture Innovation Australia
3.16
Topics discussed with Horticulture Innovation Australia included:
commercialisation of innovation projects;
the protection of horticultural intellectual property; and
cost and certification requirements of the food safety Harmonised Australian Retailer Produce Scheme.