Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Minister
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Plant health
    • Drought and rural support
    • Mouse infestation advice
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade Lowering biosecurity risks to Australia, and assisting industry to accelerate growth towards a $100 billion agricultural sector by 2030.
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    • Report a concern
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Plant Innovation Centre
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Budget 2023-24

    Budget 2023-24

    The 2023–24 Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 9 May 2023.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About us
  3. News and media
  4. Stay informed
  5. Communiques
  6. Agriculture Ministers' Forum

Sidebar first - About

  • Stay informed
    • Communiques
    • Newsletters and industry notices
    • RSS feeds

Agriculture Ministers' Forum

21 February 2020 - Launceston

COMMUNIQUÉ

The Agriculture Ministers’ Forum (AGMIN) met today in Launceston to progress priority issues affecting the agriculture sector. The meeting was chaired by the Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, the Hon. David Littleproud MP.

The meeting commenced with a presentation from Dr Andrew Johnson of the Bureau of Meteorology on recent climatic events including bushfires and the drought, and the outlook for the future, which is generally marked by warmer and drier seasons. This was followed by updates from all ministers on current conditions and recovery measures in their jurisdictions. The Hon. Shane Stone AC QC, Coordinator-General of the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency, and Major General Andrew Hocking, Deputy, Engagement and Operations for the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, reflected on recent events and outlined the work being undertaken to assist communities recover.

Ministers discussed key issues impacting the agricultural sector, and what governments can do together to build the portfolio into a $100 billion industry by 2030.

Implementing and reporting against the National Drought Agreement

Ministers endorsed in principle an interim report on Australia-wide implementation of the National Drought Agreement for finalisation and submission to the next COAG meeting, and agreed that the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment would continue to lead the development of the framework in collaboration with state and territory governments.

Biosecurity threats, including an update on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Ministers discussed the increasing pressures on the biosecurity system. In the face of the current Coronavirus threat, Ministers agreed to continue to cooperate to assist in responding to agricultural and fisheries trade impacts.

Fruit Fly Preparedness

The Hon. Guy Barnett, Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water, provided members with an update on the current fruit fly prevention measures in the state, noting that Tasmania is fruit fly free. Ministers discussed plans for future action, including the use of sterile insect technologies, across the nation.

African Swine Fever

An update on the spread of African Swine Fever overseas was provided to Ministers. Ministers also discussed the actions being taken to manage increased risk and prepare for the disease should an incursion occur in Australia.

Independent Panel for Poultry Standards

Ministers agreed the membership of an independent panel to finalise drafting of Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry and noted the importance of completing this work expeditiously.

National Horse Welfare and Traceability

Ministers agreed that Queensland will lead the development of Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Livestock at Processing Establishments. Queensland will also lead a review of the suitability for horses of the existing Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock subsequent to completion of coordinated action on horse welfare during transport, as agreed by agriculture senior officials on 19 December 2019.

Ministers agreed that a working group, co-led by Queensland and Victoria, with support of other states and territories, in consultation with industry, will develop a proposal for a national horse traceability register.

Growing Australian Agriculture to $100 billion by 2030

The Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment gave Ministers a presentation on growing the sector to $100 billion by 2030. This facilitated a useful discussion on growth ambition and collaborating efforts across governments to support a viable long-term agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries. Particular areas of focus were on the importance of trade, innovation, water, and research and development.

Agricultural Innovation System Reform

Ministers noted that momentum for change had been cultivated through work to develop a vision for the future of Australian agricultural innovation, including to modernise rural Research and Development Corporations and seek to coordinate innovation systems undertaken by States and Territories. They emphasised the need for ongoing actions to help promote Australia as a world leader in this area and to promote greater commercialisation and uptake.

Building Resilience through Better Business Management Skills

Ministers noted the need to work together to support producers build on farm resilience and asked officials to develop a national program to build business management and planning skills. The Commonwealth confirmed work on programs to build long term drought resilience under its Future Drought Fund would start shortly, with the funding plan now agreed.

Other issues discussed including the emergence of the hemp industry and wine labelling.


The next meeting of the Agriculture Ministers’ Forum will be held in Western Australia.

Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI
Last updated: 03 October 2021

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.