Chapter 3Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio
3.1This chapter considers the key matters discussed during the hearings for the Agriculture, Fishers and Forestry portfolio on 24 and 25 May 2023.
3.2The committee heard from the following divisions of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) and portfolio agencies:
Corporate Matters divisions (Legal; Digital Services; People, Prosperity and Security; Finance and Investment; Enterprise Strategy and Governance; and Strategic Indigenous Policy Advisor);
Outcome 1 divisions (Agricultural Policy; AGVET Chemicals, Fisheries, Forestry and Engagement; Sustainability, Climate and Strategy; ABARES; Farm Resilience; Trade and International; Exports and Veterinary Services; and Digital Trade Initiatives);
Outcome 2 divisions (Traceability Plant and Live Animal Exports; Biosecurity Animal; Biosecurity Plant and Science Services; Biosecurity Strategy and Reform; Compliance and Enforcement; Biosecurity Operations; Australian Chief Veterinary Office; and Plant Protection and Environmental Biosecurity);
Australian Fisheries Management Authority;
Australian Meat Processor Corporation Limited;
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority;
Australian Pork Limited;
Cotton Research and Development Corporation;
The Australian Live Export Corporation (LiveCorp);
Inspector-General for Biosecurity; and
Meat and Livestock Australia.
3.3Dairy Australia and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation were released from the hearing without questioning.
Corporate Matters
3.4The committee commenced its examination of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio on 24 May 2023 by hearing evidence under Corporate Matters. The committee discussed the following topics:
Foot-and-mouth disease expenditure (p. 9);
shared IT services with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (pp. 8–9, 17–18);
cost recovery efforts (pp. 8–11, 26–28, 44–55 and 67–68);
hybrid working arrangements (pp. 19–20);
legal expenditure (pp. 24–25);
Strategic Partnerships with PwC (pp. 29–36);
impartiality of the public service (pp. 40–41);
Brett Cattle case (pp. 41–44);
live sheep exports (pp. 42–44 and 61–66); and
departmental properties (pp. 70 –73).
Outcome 1: More sustainable, productive, internationally competitive and profitable Australian agricultural, food and fibre industries through policies and initiatives that promote better resource management practices, innovation, self-reliance and improved access to international markets.
3.5The committee heard evidence from divisions under Outcome 1 on 24 May 2023, and they discussed the following topics:
Sustainability Roundtable (pp. 73–75);
National Heritage Trust (pp. 74–76 and 102–105);
Biosecurity Stewardship Program (p. 77);
National Soil Action Plan (pp. 75–79 and 105);
VicForests and the Samuel’s review (pp. 79–82);
UK free trade agreement (pp. 84–85 and 87–88):
agricultural trade issues (pp. 85–87);
Workforce shortages (pp. 88–90);
plantation forests (pp. 90-91);
the implications of the Victorian State Government’s decision to end native timber logging (pp. 79, 81, 90–96 and 106–110);
Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports position vacancy and Inspector-General of Animal Welfare (pp. 97–100);
Tasmanian forestry (pp. 110–112);
organics industry (pp. 119–121);
Commonwealth aquaculture (pp. 127–128)
Macquarie Island Marine Park (p. 127); and
Career Start Program (pp. 133–135).
Outcome 2: Safeguard Australia's animal and plant health status to maintain overseas markets and protect the economy and environment from the impact of exotic pests and diseases, through risk assessment, inspection and certification, and the implementation of emergency response arrangements for Australian agricultural, food and fibre industries.
3.6The committee commenced with divisions under Outcome 2 of the department on 24 May 2023 and discussed the following matters:
National Carp Control Program (pp. 137–140);
livestock traceability (p. 141); and
the 2021–22 Biosecurity Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (p. 143).
3.7Further evidence was heard on 25 May 2023 regarding the following topics:
consultation panel into the closure of live sheep exports (pp. 5–11);
live animal exports to Saudi Arabia (pp. 10, 12–13);
Independent Observer Program (pp. 13–15 and 21–23);
Biosecurity Imports Levy (pp. 29–32, 54–57 and 62–69);
Varroa Mite (p. 31);
live sheep phase out (pp. 32–39 and 59–62);
biosecurity infringements (pp. 39–41);
poultry standards and guidelines and their effects on egg producers (pp. 42–43 and 47–49);
vet workforce shortages (pp. 45–46);
abattoirs (p. 47);
caged eggs (pp. 47–49);
Diamond Valley Pork (pp. 50–52);
biosecurity imports delays (pp. 57–58);
Manuka Honey (pp. 58–59);
Purple Hive Project (p. 69); and
the Brett Cattle Case (p. 70).
Australian Pork Limited
3.8The Chief Executive Officer of Australian Pork Limited (APL), Ms Margo Andrae gave an opening statement during their appearance before the committee on 25 May 2023. Ms Andrae emphasised their continued support of strong biosecurity practices in the pork industry:
As leaders in biosecurity, our industry also has high levels of hygiene and strict practices to protect herds from animal disease and food safety risks. Faced with the ongoing threats of African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and incursions of Japanese encephalitis virus, APL and our industry have strengthened biosecurity measures and awareness on farm. We've developed tools and resources in partnership with government and delivered R&D to mitigate the risks. As such, on-farm biosecurity, which already represents best practice, is at unprecedented levels. We, alongside the industry, remain vigilant.
3.9Topics discussed during APL’s appearance included:
adverse effects of CO2 stunning (pp. 71–72);
global stunning alternatives and animal welfare (pp. 72–74;
consumption of pork protein and feral pigs (pp. 75–76);
pork price increases and effects on cost of living (p. 76); and
personal attacks and intimidation of producers and employees of APL (pp.77–79).
Plant Health Australia
3.10The committee heard evidence from Plant Health Australia (PHA) on 25 May 2023, and discussed the following matters:
biosecurity imports levy and PHA memberships (pp. 80–81);
networks under PHA (pp. 82–85); and
eradication of pests (p. 86).
Animal Health Australia
3.11The committee heard evidence from Animal Health Australia (AHA) on 25 May 2023. They discussed programs that AHA are being invested in, and the cattle and livestock transaction levy increases coming into effect on 1 July 2024 (pp.87–89).
Cotton Research and Development Corporation
3.12Topics the committee discussed with Cotton Research and Development Corporation on 25 May 2023 were as follows:
current research and intellectual property (pp. 90–91); and
decreased cotton crop due to increased rain levels and colder temperatures in cotton growing areas (pp. 91–92).
Australian Fisheries Management Authority
3.13The committee heard evidence from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) on 25 May 2023. They discussed the following matters:
South-east trawl adjustment package (pp. 94–95 and 97);
fisheries management plans (pp. 96–98);
Spanish Mackerel (pp. 98–99); and
Macquarie Island marine park review (pp. 99–100).
Inspector-General of Biosecurity
3.14The committee heard evidence from the Inspector-General of Biosecurity, Dr Lloyd Klumpp on 25 May 2023. The committee discussed the biosecurity imports levy and the current reviews being undertaken by the Inspector-General (pp. 100–103).
Australian Live Exports Corporation
3.15On 25 May 2023, the committee heard evidence from the Australian Live Exports Corporation and discussed the following topics:
sheep and cattle mortality (p. 104);
live sheep exports and phase out (pp. 105–107 and 114–115);
live exports survey (p. 107);
drought affected production (pp. 112–113);
adverse experiences with activists (pp. 119–121).
Meat and Livestock Australia
3.16The committee heard evidence from Meat and Livestock Australia on 25 May 2023, and discussed the following matters:
BeefLinks program (p. 122);
mRNA vaccines (pp. 122–125);
cattle grass feed levy (pp. 126–129 and 130–131); and
definition of meat products (p. 129).
Red Meat Processor Corporation
3.17The committee heard evidence from the Red Meat Processor Corporation on 25 May 2023. The committee discussed the following topics:
adverse experiences with activists (pp. 132–133);
enhances manufacturing technologies (p. 133); and
agricultural education (pp. 133–134).
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
3.18The chair of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (AMPVA), Dr Carmel Hillyard gave an opening statement during their appearances before the committee on 25 May 2023. Dr Hillyard gave an update on the current independent investigation being undertaken within the APVMA:
At the previous Senate estimates hearing in February this year, I made a statement to the committee referencing serious allegations of misconduct within the APVMA. The APVMA board continues to take these matters very seriously. Investigations into these allegations by the relevant authorities remain underway. While these investigations are being conducted, it is not appropriate for me or others in the APVMA to comment.
3.19Topics discussed during the APVMA’s appearance included:
mRNA vaccines (pp. 134–135);
executive leadership changes (p. 136); and
independent review on culture (pp. 136–138).
Senator Glenn Sterle
Chair