Chapter 3


Chapter 3

Agriculture and Water Resources portfolio

3.1        This chapter considers the key issues discussed during the hearing for the Agriculture and Water Resources portfolio on 4 and 9 April 2019.

3.2        On 4 April 2019, the committee heard from divisions of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) and portfolio agencies in the following order:

  • Australian Meat Processor Corporation;
  • Meat and Livestock Australia;
  • Wine Australia;
  • Australian Livestock Export Corporation (Livecorp);
  • Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (Agrifutures); and
  • Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

3.3        The following agencies were released during the course of the hearing without providing evidence:

  • Cotton Research and Development Corporation;
  • Fisheries Research and Development Corporation; and
  • Grains Research and Development Corporation.

3.4        On 9 April 2019, the committee heard from divisions of DAWR and portfolio agencies in the following order:

  • Corporate Services;
  • Horticulture Australia;
  • Dairy Australia;
  • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES);
  • Regional Investment Corporation;
  • Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority;
  • Rural Policy and Farm Performance Division; and
  • Agricultural Policy Division.

3.5        The following agencies and divisions were released during the course of the hearing without providing evidence:

  • Plant Health Australia;
  • AGVET Chemicals, Fisheries and Forestry Division;
  • Trade and Market Access Division; and
  • Outcome 2 (Exports, Biosecurity Animal, Biosecurity Plant, Compliance, Biosecurity Policy and Implementation and Biosecurity Operations).

3.6        The committee discussed a range of topics during the hearings, including:

  • the Government Response to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee's inquiry reports on the effect of market consolidation on the red meat processing sector;
  • effect of the North Queensland floods on livestock levels;
  • heat stress in live exports;
  • water saving and other initiatives in relation to wine production;
  • EvokeAg Conference and the Ignite Network initiative of AgriFutures;
  • National Fisheries Advisory Council;
  • National Carp Control Plan;
  • staffing arrangements within DAWR following the conclusion of various programs and projects;
  • recycled water initiatives in horticulture;
  • water entitlement transactions;
  • work of the Regional Investment Corporation; and
  • the North Queensland Flood Recovery Program.

Senator Barry O'Sullivan
Chair

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