Australian Farmers Must Be Central To Government Food Security Plans
August 7th 2010 07:23
Australian Dairy Farm At Mount Warning
The policy's strengths include a focus on research and development and increased biosecurity, but it is undermined by an attack on environmental policies and a declaration from the shadow minister, John Cobb, that he is a climate sceptic.
"The Greens have taken a very strong stance on biosecurity and quarantine and we agree with the Coalition that this area, left to flounder under Labor, needs focus and funding. Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.
"We also strongly support a return to properly funded research and development in the agricultural arena."
"But you cannot be a serious spokesperson for farmers and rural Australia if you are hiding your head in sand over the very real threat of climate change.”
Sugar Cane Field At Mount Warning
"Food security is a growing concern around the world and Australia cannot pretend to be isolated, so it is very gratifying that the Gillard government is now moving to look at the issue," Senator Milne said.
"I look forward to working with Minister Burke, if the government is returned, to make sure the plan is as comprehensive as possible,” she said.
"A true food security plan needs two dimensions.”
"The first dimension is the ability of our land and water to sustain agriculture.”
"The second is the policy settings that deliver a decent return to farmers so that they can stay on the land, as well as those that ensure our food production stays in Australian hands.”
"One aspect of this I have been pleased to drive through Senate is an examination of the duopoly of Coles and Woolworths and the lack of effective anti-price discrimination provisions in the Trade Practices Act.”
"Tuesday's commitment from Minister Burke is a good start."
The Greens are troubled that the food security plan is in danger of becoming all about consumers and food affordability without recognising the critical importance of continuing to produce food here in Australia.
"Food security is not just about consumer prices and consumer choice - it has to be about keeping farmers on the land and preserving our agricultural land," Senator Milne said.
"Farmers need to receive a decent return for the food they grow. Instead, they are constantly subject to the downward pressures placed on them from cheap overseas imports and the Coles and Woolworths duopoly” she said.
"In developing a food security plan, we have to prioritise the ability of our land and water to sustain agriculture and the development of policy settings that deliver a decent return to farmers so that they can stay on the land.”
"The plan must build in the impacts of climate change and peak oil from the start. These two crises will have a massive impact on agriculture and cannot be swept under the carpet."
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