Joint media release: Working together this World Food Day

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP

Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm

Today is World Food Day, an important opportunity to acknowledge Australia’s key role in helping shape a food secure future at home and abroad.

The focus of this year’s World Food Day is collaboration, and seeks to highlight the importance of governments, organisations and communities working together to ensure universal access to healthy food – which will support reducing global hunger, malnutrition and obesity.

The Albanese Labor Government is supporting this work and ensuring Australia maintains its global reputation as a producer of safe, nutritious and high-quality food through the development of a new national food security strategy: Feeding Australia.

While Australia has a world class food system, supported by strict food safety and biosecurity measures, we cannot afford to be complacent, or to ignore the new and emerging challenges facing our food and supply chains.

That’s why the development of a national food security strategy is so critical.

Submissions for Feeding Australia’s discussion paper closed earlier this month with over 360 responses received, underscoring the importance of this strategy.

Australia exports about 70 per cent of our agricultural production, with our world-class products supporting global food security.

In order to maintain our role as a consistent provider of safe, nutritious food, Feeding Australia will contribute toward the aims of both Australia’s domestic requirements and the work of the UN FAO – which is marking its 80th anniversary.

The Albanese Labor Government recognises the critical role our farmers and producers play in supporting food security at home and abroad, and will continue to work with them as the development of the Feeding Australia strategy progresses.

For more information on Feeding Australia, visit: www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/food/national…

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:

“World Food Day is an important opportunity to acknowledge Australia’s role as a trusted provider of food at home and for people right around the world.

“Maintaining our reputation when it comes to high quality and safe food is something the Albanese Labor Government takes seriously which is why we have committed to developing a new national food security strategy.

“The level of interest in the development of this strategy which has been demonstrated by the submissions we have already received underscores why this issue is so important.

"More broadly I congratulate the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on 80 years of advancing global food security and sustainable agriculture.

“This milestone reflects the FAO’s enduring impact and leadership in building a more resilient and nourished world.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm:

“Our food system is a national asset, and our government is ensuring we protect it and strengthen it.

“It’s why we’re developing a new national food security strategy, to give Aussie farmers and producers every opportunity to grow and thrive.

“World Food Day serves as an opportunity for all of us to thank our farmers and primary producers for the work they do every day.

“It’s an important reminder that there can be no complacency when it comes to protecting our food system and the people who make it great.”