Coalition funding welcomed by food industry

Thursday, 05 August, 2010

The Coalition’s election pledges to boost research and development funding by $150 million and $8 million to map the carbon footprint of Australia’s agriculture and food production have been welcomed by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC).

AFGC has also supported the Coalition’s ‘support agriculture’ policies to conduct an audit of environmental legislation across all levels of government - which poses significant costs to food manufacturing in Australia - and to offer water security grants totalling $50 million.

AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said the food and grocery manufacturing industry supported the Coalition’s approach to food security and production, including R&D, which is a cornerstone for increasing capacity in the $100 billion sector.

“Industry needs a holistic approach to innovation in food and grocery manufacturing - this is vital to ensure we have a food manufacturing sector into the future and we don’t become even more reliant on goods from China.

“Water security and water re-use are also critical for food production and processing in Australia - no water, means no food for Australians,” Carnell said.

But industry expressed disappointment that the Coalition didn’t take the opportunity issued by AFGC and the National Farmers Federation (NFF) to develop a National Food and Grocery Agenda.

“It’s a pity that the Coalition hasn’t chosen to develop a national policy to optimise Australia’s entire value chain from farm gate to the consumer,” Carnell said.

“Australia needs a partnership approach involving relevant stakeholders to plan and achieve a national food strategy to ensure Australia has a safe, nutritious and sustainable food supply into the future.”

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