The Australian Government has released the terms of reference of the Agriculture Competitiveness White Paper. Released just days after the resolution of a free trade agreement (FTA) with Korea and in the midst of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and World Trade Organization global trade talks, the federal government's Agriculture White Paper provides a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to examine the sector's global competitiveness says Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce. The Minister said the goal of the paper would be to generate jobs, impact farm gate returns, and boost investment and economic growth.
The White Paper will develop recommendations for boosting agriculture’s contribution to economic growth, export and trade, innovation and productivity by building capacity and enhancing the profitability of the sector - described by the Australian Government as a key export industry and one of five pillars of the economy. The White Paper is proposed for release towards the end of 2014.
The White Paper will consider:
♦ food security in Australia and the world through the creation of a stronger and more competitive agriculture sector;
♦ means of improving market returns at the farm gate, including through better drought management;
♦ access to investment finance, farm debt levels and debt sustainability;
♦ the competitiveness of the Australian agriculture sector and its relationship to food and fiber processing and related value chains , including achieving fair returns;
♦ the contribution of agriculture to regional centers and communities, including ways to boost investment and jobs growth in the sector and associated regional areas;
♦ the efficiency and competitiveness of inputs to the agriculture value chain — such as skills, training, education and human capital; research and development; and critical infrastructure;
♦ the effectiveness of regulations affecting the agriculture sector, including the extent to which regulations promote or retard competition, investment and private sector-led growth;
♦ opportunities for enhancing agricultural exports and new market access; and
♦ the effectiveness and economic benefits of existing incentives for investment and jobs creation in the agriculture sector.
The White Paper will not consider industry competitiveness issues associated with the fisheries and forestry sectors and nor will it cover human nutritional health issues.
