Trading north: Agriculture Report released

THE Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has made 13 recommendations following an inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets.

The inquiry examined ways to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia in food and agriculture with reference to Invested: Australia’s Southeast Economic Strategy to 2040 (the Moore report).

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said, "The Moore report emphasised the significance of Australia’s relationship with Southeast Asia at an economic level, but urged us to look beyond trade to a broader and more closely integrated relationship with the region.

"Australia has an important role to play in the food security of Southeast Asia through food exports and by building agriculture and food production capability in the region. Australian technology and production systems also have much to offer the region. Long-term investment in regional relationships will be vital to progressing both trade and regional collaboration," Ms Swanson said.

In addition to supporting the recommendations of the Moore report, the committee has recommended:

• resourcing agencies to implement trade agreements and address non-tariff barriers;
• making a long-term commitment to the Southeast Asia Business Exchange program;
• maintaining and enhancing the Agriculture Counsellor network;
• reinstating and resourcing the Agri-Business Expansion Initiative and the Agriculture Trade and Market Access Cooperation program;
• increasing the resources available for regional collaboration on biosecurity; and
• providing additional funding to ACIAR for its work in Southeast Asia.

The committee further supports the establishment of the Australian Agricultural Partnership and the extension of the PALM scheme to Southeast Asia.

Over the course of the inquiry, the Committee held seven public hearings and received 28 written submissions from industry, government and other interested stakeholders. 

The committee’s full report can be found on the inquiry webpage.

 

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