The Australian
AUSTRALIA'S first National Food Plan is to be
applauded ("Foreign funds to fertilise 'dining boom' ", 18/9).
For too long governments have relegated
agriculture to play a minor part in our lives, closing down research and
ignoring the importance of self-sufficiency.
In the face of a growing population, the
challenge facing the world's food growers is to double their output using less
water, land, energy and fertiliser.
On top of this we have manipulation by two
supermarket chains that dominate prices. Government has so far stood idly by.
It can only be hoped that this plan will
bring about a new approach to food, to support and demonstrate how we can grow
it sustainably right across Australia, not just in niche pockets, and address
chronic waste.
K. D. Afford, Mount Barker, SA
WE would like to congratulate federal
Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig on his approach to increasing the food export
market to Asia ("We can feed our own and still satisfy a growing export
appetite", 19/7). As he says, Australia has some of the best farmers in
the world and meat export is quite rightly fundamental to this plan.
However, there is a quick win that could make
things even better for the Australian economy and boost jobs. A key component
of Ludwig's plan is to reduce barriers faced by food businesses to access
international markets. Many countries that import chilled meat from Australia
have tariffs and subsidies in place that unfairly favour the live export trade
over chilled meat export.
If Ludwig was to demand a removal of these
barriers, he would demonstrate that he is genuinely serious about supporting
Australian business.
Jodie Jankevics, World Society for the
Protection of Animals, St Leonards, NSW
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