Premium ag credentials to be enhanced with $11m in grants

Australian farmers will be assisted to prove the premium quality, sustainability, and First Nations credentials of their produce through $11 million in grants from the Albanese Government. This funding is one part of the Government’s $100 million investment in enhancing Australia’s traceability systems.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Murray Watt has announced a range of funding decisions designed to support farmers to prove the quality of their food and enjoy premium prices through traceability systems.  

“The Albanese Government is turbo charging Australia’s agricultural traceability systems, having invested over $55 million just this year,” Minister Watt said.

“We are providing $11 million in grants under the National Agriculture Traceability Grants Program. These grants support our agricultural sector to become even more sustainable, adapt to climate change and benefit First Nations producers.”

The initiatives are: 

  • $5 million for the National Farmers’ Federation to expand the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework, determine how farmers can demonstrate evidence-based sustainability credentials, and enhance Australia’s international standing on sustainable agriculture and climate action
  • $4 million for 11 projects funded under the Sustainability Reporting Uplift Grant Round helping farmers identify and collect data required to demonstrate climate action and to meet emerging international sustainability requirements
  • $2 million for the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation to develop an Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework and provide evidence of Indigenous agricultural product credentials for the benefit of First Nations Australians

“Australian farmers already work hard to ensure their produce is clean, green, and sustainable, but we can do more to assure our trading partners of our world-leading sustainability credentials,” Minister Watt said.

“Traceability enables farmers and producers to clearly demonstrate their products are high quality, safe, and sustainably produced from paddock to plate.

“It helps Australia to access valuable international export markets which are increasingly demanding evidence of sustainable, climate-smart practices. It also assists our biosecurity systems through detailed data and tracking of produce and supports the move to cleaner, greener agriculture.

“I’m delighted to see projects awarded to industry and research groups as we move towards a more sustainable agriculture sector. In particular, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to own and benefit from Indigenous agricultural products ensures their practices are recognised, valued, and protected.”

The National Agricultural Traceability Strategy 2023-2033 will be launched in coming months and the draft is available at: www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/market-access-trade/alliance-2022#toc_0

QUOTES FROM GRANT RECIPIENTS:

The National Farmers Federation Acting President, David Jochinke, said the organisation was committed to continuing work on the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework and demonstrating tangible benefits by leveraging the framework to shape emerging international standards through evidence-based sustainability credentials.

“The Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework seeks to futureproof Australian agriculture through a strong partnership between farmers and government,” Mr Jochinke said.

“AASF is a world-first in demonstrating sector-wide sustainability credentials – a collective approach that ensures we meet the needs of our markets, and achieve recognition for our sustainability leadership.

“The AASF will design a robust, data-driven approach that enables our sector to leverage the sustainability reporting already done by our individual commodities, in partnership with the Australian Government and other data sources.”

Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation Chief Executive Officer Joe Morrison said his organisation was delighted to work with the government to deliver Australia’s first Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework.

“The framework will mark a significant development for the Indigenous agricultural sector by delivering further opportunities for Indigenous people through supply chain value adds and an increase in prospects for Indigenous farmers, producers, and processors to enter export markets,” Mr Morrison said.

“At the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, our priority is to invest in people, Country, and future generations. The Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework will play a significant part of this through delivering employment opportunities for Indigenous people.”

The Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework will: 

  • Deliver ongoing prosperity for First Nations people by adding premium value for both domestic and exported Indigenous products, including a fairer return across the supply chain.
  • Increase specialist farmers, producers and processors to enter export markets, especially those involved in exporting boutique premium products.
  • Deliver ongoing respect, recognition and growth to all First Nations people and communities, through jobs and employment.
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The Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework is funded by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry through the National Agriculture Traceability Grants Program. Project delivery is led by the National Farmers’ Federation. 

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. 

© The Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework. Copyright of National Farmers Federation.

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Andrew Skinner

Director

More Than Machines

Andrew is an accomplished technology leader with over 25 years experience delivering cutting-edge solutions across diverse industries, including media, utilities, defence, manufacturing, health, and agrifood.  He possesses extensive expertise in international agri-food technology ecosystems, and is a trusted advisor to industry organisations, supply chain entities, researchers, startups, and governments. Andrew founded the technology consultancy More Than Machines, where he assists agrifood organisations, startups, researchers, and governments in developing digital strategies, policies and technology solutions that leverage data and AI to optimise their land, production, markets, and products.  Previously, as Chief Data Officer at Meat and Livestock Australia, he developed and implemented the Australian Red Meat industry data strategy and digital supply chain research programs, demonstrably increasing productivity, product quality, and enabling new market opportunities through targeted digital technology implementation. 

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Anna Hooper

Director, Economic & Environmental Policy

Australian Grape & Wine Inc.

Anna is a wine industry professional since the late 90’s, working in vineyard management and winemaking both in Australia and overseas, and later as General Manager of a premium, sustainability focused, wine producer in South Australia. She has been a non-executive director on private and government boards in the fields of biosecurity, natural resource management and grape and wine business and currently sits on the board of Landcare Australia. Immediately prior to the formation of Australian Grape and Wine she gained experience in national advocacy as Chief Executive Officer of Australian Vignerons. Having worked across a broad range of roles, including practical hands-on industry experience, she is well placed in her role to promote the best interests of the sector on domestic policy issues relating to environmental and economic sustainability. She is leading the project on carbon emissions traceability that is the focus of the presentation. 

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Dr. Melindee Hastie

Research Fellow (Meat, Food & Sensory Science)

Agriculture Victoria

Melindee is a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystems Science, where she focusses on the consumer defined opportunity for sustainable food production. Melindee has over 20 years’ experience in R&D leadership for academia and international FMCGs such as Cadbury, Kraft, and Mondelez. 

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Warwick Ragg

General Manager NRM

National Farmers Federation

Warwick was raised on a farm in the NSW Southern Highlands and has almost 30 years experience in rural and regional advocacy. Prior to joining NFF Warwick had been working in the Commonwealth Government in stakeholder engagement roles and had previously spent a decade with NSW Farmers’ Association and a further decade as chief executive of Australian Forest Growers.

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Adam Fennessy PSM

Secretary

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry

Adam has over 25 years of public sector experience at state and federal levels. His former roles have included Secretary of the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Secretary of the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning, the Victorian Public Sector Commissioner and Dean & CEO of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG). Adam has worked in the private sector as a partner with global advisory firm Ernst & Young.

Adam is an IPAA National Fellow and previously served on the board of IPAA Victoria. In 2018, he received a Public Service Medal (PSM) for leadership in the Victorian public sector.

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Neil McSkimming

Senior Policy Officer, Export Development

Agriculture Victoria

Neil is a Senior Policy Officer providing advice on international market access, trade and capability building to grow the state’s agricultural industry. 

His career has a balance of government and private industry experience including eight years at Coles Supermarkets where he was Responsible Sourcing Manager transforming the animal welfare and sustainable production credentials for its own brand products. 

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David Jochinke

President

National Farmers Federation

David, commonly referred to as ‘DJ’, is a third generation dryland mixed farmer. DJ operates his family’s property at Murra Warra in the Wimmera, Victoria, producing various broadacre crops and finishing prime lambs. He has been heavily involved at all levels of farmer advocacy since finishing his Diploma of Applied Science (Ag Services) at Longerenong College. DJ was elected as President of the National Farmers’ Federation in October 2023 after serving as Vice President and Director for numerous years.

DJ is a past recipient of a Nuffield Australia Scholarship and Australian Rural Leadership Program and is an active contributor to his local community.

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