3.1
This chapter considers the key issues discussed during the hearings for the Agriculture, Water and the Environment portfolio on 21 and 22 October 2020.
3.2
The committee heard from divisions of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) and portfolio agencies in the following order:
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Corporate Matters (Corporate Strategy and Governance; Finance and Business Support; Information Services; Assurance and Legal Divisions);
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Outcome Three (Rural Policy and Farm Performance; AGVET Chemicals, Fisheries and Forestry; Agricultural Policy; and Trade and Market Access Divisions);
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Outcome Four (Biosecurity Animal; Biosecurity Plant; Compliance; Biosecurity Operations; Biosecurity Policy and Implementation; Exports; and Live Animal Exports Divisions);
Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports;
Inspector-General of Biosecurity;
Horticulture Innovation Australia;
Regional Investment Corporation;
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES);
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (Agrifutures Australia);
Grains Research and Development Corporation;
Cotton Research and Development Corporation;
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation;
Australian Fisheries Management Authority;
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority;
Australian Meat Processor Corporation;
Australian Livestock Export Corporation (Livecorp);
Meat and Livestock Australia Limited; and
3.3
Australian Wool Innovation were released during the hearing without providing evidence.
3.4
Several common topics were discussed across multiple agencies, particularly the research and development corporations. The following agencies were questioned regarding Agricultural Innovation Australia Ltd (AIA), funding adequacy, emissions targets and international trade and market access:
Horticulture Innovation Australia;
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation;
Grains Research and Development Corporation;
Cotton Research and Development Corporation;
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation;
Australian Meat Processor Corporation;
Australian Livestock Export Corporation;
Meat and Livestock Australia; and
Corporate Matters
3.5
Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, read a short statement detailing the department’s response to COVID-19 and their support for agricultural industries during this time.
3.6
Topics discussed under Outcome One include:
Machinery of Government changes;
Biosecurity issues concerning the Ruby Princess cruise ship;
Meetings of the Agriculture Ministers’ Forum (AGMIN); and
The administration of freedom of information requests.
Outcome Three
3.7
Topics discussed under Outcome Three include:
The Farm Household Allowance;
National Horse Traceability Register;
Production of plant-based food alternatives;
Food labelling standards;
Undocumented workers in the agricultural industry;
The Building Landcare Community and Capacity Program;
Forest Recovery Development Fund Program; and
Future Drought Fund Consultative Committee.
Outcome Four
3.8
Topics discussed under Outcome Four include:
The National Environmental Biosecurity Response Agreement;
Report from the Inspector-General of Biosecurity;
Conditions on the Al Kuwait livestock shipment; and
Standards for livestock export.
Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports
3.9
The committee received an update on the status of the three reviews currently underway: the Export Supply Chain Assurance System, livestock export permits, and the implementation of the Moss review recommendations. Discussion with the committee centred mainly on progress towards implementation of the Moss review recommendations.
Inspector-General of Biosecurity
3.10
Mr Rob Delane, Inspector-General of Biosecurity, gave an opening statement detailing the two completed biosecurity reviews. The first review was to mitigate the risk of African swine fever. The second was on biosecurity risk management of international express airfreight pathways for non-commercial consignments. Questioning from the committee centred on the recommendations of the two reports and on the upcoming report into confidence testing for critical security functions.
Horticulture Innovation Australia
3.11
In addition to discussion on the agency’s contribution to AIA, the committee also sought information regarding the Good Mood Food campaign and the report into seasonal horticultural labour demand and workforce. The agency reported that the report was intended as a bottom-up look at relevant data to complement the work of ABARES and the department.
Regional Investment Corporation
3.12
Ms Karen Smith-Pomeroy, Chairperson, read a short statement detailing the agency’s contribution to regional economic growth and investment. The committee sought further information from the agency on the demand for loans administered by RIC and the timeliness of application processing. The committee also heard that RIC has accepted three recommendations from the ANAO performance report into the Design and establishment of the Regional Investment Corporation and is working towards their implementation.
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences
3.13
Topics discussed under ABARES include:
Research into the estimated cost of COVID-19 on the Australian agricultural industry;
Data collection regarding labour force needs in horticulture; and
Research into the economic impact of government measures, including the Future Drought Fund.
Animal Health Australia
3.14
Topics discussed under Animal Health Australia include:
The status of the 27th edition of the Animal health in Australia report;
The review into the industry response to the African swine flu outbreak; and
The response to the Victorian avian influenza outbreak.
Dairy Australia
3.15
In addition to discussion on Dairy Australia’s membership of the AIA, carbon emissions, and trade and market access, the committee also sought information on the preparation of annual reports, and milk production during the 2019–20 financial year. Dr David Nation, Managing Director, reported a 0.2 per cent drop in production due to fire and drought. The committee praised the industry for its productivity given the circumstances and heard evidence of further development projects.
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
3.16
Topics discussed under the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation include:
The agency’s membership of AIA;
Research into potential access to future trade markets;
Reviews and research regarding the National Carp Control Plan; and
The effect of COVID-19 on the fisheries industry.
Australian Fisheries Management Authority
3.17
Topics discussed under the Australian Fisheries Management Authority include:
Participation levels in the agency’s annual general meeting;
Recreational fishing quotas for southern bluefin tuna;
Recognition of fishing rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; and
Foreign industrial fishing vessels operating in Australian waters.
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
3.18
Ms Lisa Croft, Chief Executive Officer, gave a short opening statement acknowledging her predecessor, Dr Chris Parker, and updating the committee on the agency’s application time frame performance report.
3.19
Topics discussed under the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority include:
The Chief Executive Officer appointment process;
Staffing split between the Armidale and Canberra offices; and
The time frame for completion of applications to the agency.
Meat and Livestock Australia
3.20
Topics discussed under Meat and Livestock Australia include:
The agency’s membership of AIA;
Research into potential access to future trade markets;
The agency’s response to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) program Fight for Planet A; and
The MLA subsidiary Integrity Systems Company.