The Food and Agriculture Working Group is a platform for networking, promoting common interests, and working to understand and influence Chinese officials in the food and agriculture fields.
Members come from corporate, consulting and advisory businesses. The group has the support and involvement of the Australian Embassy's Agricultural Counsellors, and Austrade. The group has facilitated roundtable discussions with MNCs and SMEs, and has regular presentations from key senior Australian government figures.
An Issues Paper, summarising some of the key challenges facing food & agriculture operators in China was presented to the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry, forming a strong basis for the groups future direction.
Industry News
Australian Agribusiness Reports from ANZ
ANZ will be releasing an on-going series of reports by ANZ covering Australian Agribusiness. These publications will cover topical issues on a regular basis affecting the Australian agricultural sector - such as fertiliser, red meat, fibres, grains, climate and the ETS. This report takes an in-depth look at the Australian sheep meat industry.
Raw Milk Products Factsheet - FSANZ releases 1st Assessment Report for public comment
FSANZ has completed the first stage of assessing the requirements in the Food Standards Code for the sale of raw milk products in Australia. A 1st Assessment Report is now available for public comment which describes the progress of the Proposal to-date. This Fact Sheet describes the 1st Assessment Report and how you can have an input into the project, including information on guiding questions that have been posed to assist potential submitters. Individuals or organisations with an interest in this Proposal are invited to provide information and feedback in response to the Report and the guiding questions.
The 1st Assessment Report itself, and directions for making a submission, can be found on the FSANZ website. The consultation period for this paper is 10 weeks. The closing date for submissions is 24th February 2010. Background information to the raw milk product work can also be found on the FSANZ website.
Food Labelling Law and Policy Review - Initial Consultation, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
Attached are the Terms of Reference for the Review, and public consultation is now commencing, and the initial submission period will close 20 November 2009.
Past Events
Wednesday December 16: Joint Austrade Industry Update with AustCham Shanghai: Alan Morrell, Senior Trade Commissioner, Austrade, will provide the Working Group with an update on key developments affecting the food and agriculture industries.
