Australia’s national farming industry association, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling on the Federal Government to ensure the future viability of Australia’s food manufacturing sector, without resorting to protectionist measures. NFF President Jock Laurie said in a statement today that it is in the interests of farmers to see a strong and vibrant manufacturing industry in Australia, particularly food manufacturing, but without compromising Australia’s long running trading... ...Read more »

New technologies and techniques are enabling Australia’s leading agricultural scientists from CSIRO to track a reduction in the levels of livestock methane emissions and develop solutions for a more productive, profitable and greenhouse gas friendly beef industry. The CSIRO research leader Dr Ed Charmley, has just announced that research conducted in the high-tech respiration chambers shows Australia’s northern beef herd is actually more ‘methane-friendly’ than previously thought. “What... ...Read more »

The public has only been given a month to comment on an issues paper guiding the formation of a much-needed national food plan – a period which is inadequate and must be extended, according to advocacy group the Sydney Food Fairness Alliance (SFFA). The Alliance, a network which describes itself as “advocating for a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable food system in the Sydney region and beyond”, said it will be making a submission by the August 5 deadline but says... ...Read more »

Kraft Foods is encouraging the Indian government to develop a comprehensive cocoa production development policy, claiming domestic supplies are too poor and scant to fuel its growing needs. Atul Bhatia, executive director for research and innovation at Cadbury’s Indian subsidiary, stressed in an interview with just-food that while cocoa is an essential part of his company’s business, imports are often essential. Production is not widespread – cocoa is not a native crop – and... ...Read more »

France will use talks with other G20 nations to argue for tougher rules on global food commodities trading, as surging prices pose a risk to businesses and consumers. France kicked-off two-day talks in Paris yesterday (22 June) to persuade G20 nations to impose caps on investments in food commodities, such as wheat, barley and sugar. Under its proposals, investors would also have to declare themselves as either speculative or commercial traders. It is the first time that agriculture ministers have... ...Read more »

European farmers federation Copa-Cogeca has supported MEP’s calls for greater funds to support producers following the E. coli outbreak in Europe.The federation on Tuesday (21 June) welcomed MEP calls to increase funds for EU fruit and vegetable producers hit by the E. coli crisis under the proposed EU compensation package and called for the Commission and farm minsters to act quickly. The announcement follows a debate in the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee. “I am pleased... ...Read more »

Queensland Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin today launched a food policy for Queensland to further build the state’s multi-billion dollar food industry. “As part of the 2011-12 State Budget, the Queensland Government has made an initial allocation of $2 million to support initiatives related to the policy,” Minister Mulherin said. “With Queensland’s food value chain worth $18.7 billion to the state economy and a workforce of around 267,000, it’s critical... ...Read more »

The Northern Territory Government will spend $1.4 million extra to support Indigenous horticulture and forestry projects in the Northern Territory. NT’s Primary Industry Minister Kon Vatskalis said supporting Indigenous horticultural enterprises and working with those interested in sustainable forestry developments had the potential to create more jobs and provide regional development opportunities in the Territory’s remote areas. “Our horticultural industry in the Territory was valued... ...Read more »

Western Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman presented Alana Shedley with Young Professionals in Agriculture Forum’s top award at a function in Perth, hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology. The award and accompanying prize money recognises the work of tertiary agriculture and natural resource management students who have completed an undergraduate degree. Redman said the State’s agriculture and food... ...Read more »

Ants and termites may be the earthworms of dry-land agriculture, with a paper by scientists at CSIRO and the Univeristy of Sydney showing that the insects have a significant positive impact on crop yields in dryland agriculture. “Ants and termites perform the same ecosystem service functions in dryland agriculture that earthworms perform in cooler and wetter areas, but the potential for ants and termites to provide these benefits has received little attention until now,” said CSIRO’s... ...Read more »