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Australian agriculture regulations to be revamped

Xinhua, November 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Regulations in Australia's agricultural industry are set to be revamped after the federal government announced the terms of reference to an agriculture inquiry on Friday.

The Productivity Commission inquiry's report, to be delivered within nine months, will nominate priority areas where regulations in Australia's agricultural sector can be removed to improve productivity for farm business, including native vegetation laws, animal welfare and the live export supply chain system.

"Poorly implemented and administered regulation and the cumulative impact of regulation can have adverse effects on farm businesses," Australia's Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce and Treasurer Scott Morrison said in a joint statement on Friday.

Australia's farmers have long complained about excessive "red tape" holding back agribusiness while livestock producers complain the controversial export supply chain system is an extra administrative burden.

The system -- also known as ESCAS -- was introduced in 2011 following concerns of animal cruelty in Australia's international markets, requires exporters to have control of all supply chain arrangements for livestock transport, management and slaughter.

Correct regulation has played an incredibly important role in securing Australia's agribusiness, however cross-judicial approach must be taken between federal and state authorities to cut red tape to facilitate growth, National Farmers Federation president Brent Finlay told Xinhua on Friday.

Finlay anticipates the detailed analysis the regulatory environment will provide greater certainty for farmers and new investors alike as Australia's agricultural industry heads into a boom cycle, primarily generated from increasing demand for higher quality produce in Asia's emerging middle class. Endit