Government calls for submissions on National Food Plan
July 1, 2011
The Federal Government has released a National Food Plan and is calling for public submissions.
Federal Member for Murray, Sharman Stone says this is a critical issue and is encouraging all people in Murray to contribute their views about the future direction of food production.
“It is clear that this Labor government is confused about the importance of food production and food security for this nation.
“Biosecurity services are under-funded and it is ironic that while professing to support disease-free security of Australia, the Gillard Government is allowing the importation of apples from New Zealand without any special protocols that would protect Australian fruit industries from fire blight,” Sharman Stone said.
“The Government’s own Murray Darling Basin Guide to a Plan destroyed irrigated agriculture by taking more water.
“I also find it ironic that while local government is attempting to restrict property development on agricultural land by proposing minimum land sizes to preserve land for agriculture, at the same time the Gillard Government is permitting the purchase of vast tracts of good agricultural land by foreign government corporations.
“This land will be used for mining or to provide food security for foreign nationals and to date, the government has not legislated to ensure that corporations owned by foreign governments are subjected to scrutiny by the Foreign Investment Review Board unless each transaction exceeds $230 million.
“Australians must know that their future food security is being challenged by overseas interests while the Gillard Government sits idly by,” Sharman Stone said.
The Governments Issues paper can be obtained by visiting www.daff.gov.au/nfp.
The closing date for submissions is 5 pm on Friday 5 August 2011
If you are unable to access the website or you require further information please contact my office on 03 5821 5371.
There are currently no comments, be the first to post one.