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Last updated: 23 Oct 2007Welcome
Welcome to the Agriculture and Food Policy Reference Group website.
The Australian agriculture and food sector has a proud record of operating successfully in the domestic market and the intensely competitive international market. It has achieved this success by adapting to unrelenting change, through technical and managerial innovation, strong leadership, and improved policies and strategies.
The Agriculture and Food Policy Reference Group was commissioned in March 2005 to help guide the development of future directions in Australian Government policies and programs affecting the agriculture and food sector.
On 16 February 2006, the Reference Group, in association with the Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Peter McGauran MP, released its report — Creating our Future: Agriculture and Food Policy for the Next Generation.
The Group has identified the major issues that need attention if the agriculture and food sector is to be successful over the next ten to fifteen years. A central message is that Australian farmers and food businesses should be optimistic about the future — but should also prepare for some serious challenges.
Creating our Future includes recommendations for everyone with a role in the sector’s future. A partnership approach is needed to meet the challenges ahead — this means farmers, food businesses, representative bodies, rural communities and of course governments.
The Reference Group would like to thank the many individuals and organisations who contributed to the Group’s deliberations — either through submissions or direct discussion.
The full report and an overview brochure — sent to all Australian farmers and food businesses — are available here.