WAFarmers welcome govt food plan

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) has welcomed the release of the federal government's National Food Plan green paper, urging all WA producers to contribute to the process.

The green paper seeks views on possible future food policy options, including research and development, infrastructure, land use and labour and skills development.

"We are experiencing population growth, both domestically and internationally, so the production of food and ensuring everyone is fed will be an ongoing issue," said WAFarmers president Dale Park.

"WAFarmers welcomes these inclusions as they reflect comments made in our submission made to the National Food Plan Issues Paper in 2011.

"Food production must be given more recognition than simply being a base level provider for the food supply chain.

"A 'business as usual' assumption will not deliver the level of planning and investment required to enable farmers to plan for their long term future," Mr Park said.

"WAFarmers has recently made some enormous steps forward in terms of fostering a closer relationship between farmers and supermarkets.

"The need to better manage this relationship is mentioned in the green paper which we see as a positive for increased transparency and dialogue between the two groups."

A series of forums on the National Food Plan green paper will be held across Australia from today, with public consultation ending on 30 September 2012.

Mr Park urged WA producers to have their say on the National Food Plan.

"Many farmers in WA have been expressing their concerns for the future of Australian agriculture and this consultation period is a chance for farmers to have their say and make sure our collective views are heard," he said.

"Part of the process the government has announced is public consultation, so there is now the opportunity to be heard."

WAFarmers will be making a submission to the National Food Plan green paper as well as attending the Perth public meeting on Tuesday 21 August 2012.

Source: Farm Weekly, 17 July 2012