Australian farm production would be more closely integrated with Asian food consumption under a proposal being considered within the federal government.
Trade Minister Craig Emerson has conceded that Australia might agree to food security provisions in trade deals with Asian countries in a shift away from its usual reluctance to go down this path in trade negotiations, according to The Australian Financial Review.
In a discussion paper released at the weekend, Dr Emerson outlined broader farm production integration which would involve more Asian investment in Australian water and farm production infrastructure in return for Australia winning greater access to the rapid demand in Asia for animal-protein-based food.
“Just as Australia has met Asia’s mineral and energy resource security needs over the last quarter century, it can meet Asia’s food resource security needs over the coming quarter century,” he said.
“Food security arrangements could be included in trade deals between Australia and relevant Asian trading partners. But a regional approach to food security might be even more effective.”
Australia has usually said such government powers would interfere with normal commercial arrangements. But the comments have particular significance because of the controversy over the banning of live meat exports to Indonesia which raised questions in the region about Australia’s reliability as a food exporter.
While Dr Emerson concedes that after the Indonesian controversy Australia might be prepared to guarantee food supply to some countries in trade agreements, he suggests it would be better to reach any such agreements at a regional level so countries could specialise in various parts of the food production chain.
