In its submission to the House Standing Committee on Agriculture’s Inquiry into Food Security in Australia, GrainGrowers said recent climate-related disasters and COVID-19 had demonstrated the vulnerability of agricultural production supply chains.
The group also highlighted the urgency of government action needed to prevent future disruption.
GrainGrowers chairman Rhys Turton said that while the previous focus on transportation issues was important, the disruption of critical supplies to farmers had exposed a potential threat to food security.
“With Australia exporting approximately 70 per cent of its agricultural production, we have historically been considered one of the most food-secure countries in the world,” Mr Turton said.
“Even during extended periods of drought, domestic grain production has exceeded domestic demand.”
The submission detailed several risk factors, including fuel security, access to chemicals and fertiliser, biosecurity, climate change and transport infrastructure.
“While consumers may take fuel for granted, Australia has just two refineries, imports nearly 91 per cent of supplies and has just 54 days of fuel available,” Mr Turton said.
“Australia needs reliable fuel reserves, and agriculture needs to be recognised as an essential user.”
Under the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act, agricultural industries are not guaranteed access to fuel as an essential user.
There were also concerns over the highly concentrated supply chain for chemicals and fertilisers and the need for exploring domestic production.
Mr Turton compared the Federal Government’s recent willingness to promote the domestic manufacture of a diesel exhaust additive to aid the transport industry with the need for similar attention to agricultural chemicals and fertilisers.
“Such domestic production will provide local employment opportunities, shorten the supply chain and reduce risks associated with supply chain disruptions,” he said.
