FED:Govt launches National Food Policy group

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2010
FED:Govt launches National Food Policy group

CANBERRA, Dec 1 AAP - The government has set up a National Food Policy Working Group
to advise on issues and policies affecting Australia's food supply.

Agriculture minister Joe Ludwig said this group would provide a forum for communication
between the food industry and the government to foster a common understanding of industry
priorities, challenges and future outlook.

Senator Ludwig said the working group would provide strategic advice on the development
of a National Food Plan.

He said the government was delivering on its election commitment to develop a National
Food Plan that would consider the challenges and opportunities across the whole food chain.

"Our agricultural sector is in a strong position. Ninety-eight per cent of our fresh
produce is grown and supplied by our very own farmers," he said in a statement.

"But we need to ensure that our food industry adapts to the economic, environmental
and consumer driven pressures across the food sector, from the paddock to the plate.

"The National Food Plan aims to deal with these issues and other challenges in the years ahead."

Senator Ludwig said an important task for the food plan would be to recognise the
wide range of work already occurring on food issues and bring this together in one place.

He said he would chair the inaugural meeting of the National Food Policy Working Group
in Sydney on Wednesday.

Members include Woolworths chief executive Michael Luscombe, Linfox Logistics chief
executive Michael Byrne, CSIRO deputy chief executive Dr Alastair Robertson and National
Farmers Federation Jock Laurie.

AAP mb/maur

KEYWORD: FOOD

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