Industry representatives attend Food Sector Relationships forum

Representatives from the major supermarket chains, farmers, food producers and manufacturers came together in Sydney on 24 September to attend a forum on Food Sector Relationships.

The forum, convened by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Joe Ludwig and Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury, saw food supply chain representatives talk about how to improve relationships as part of consultation on Australia’s first National Food Plan.

A recurring concern expressed during consultations for the National Food Plan green paper was the relationships between supermarkets and their suppliers, Ludwig said.

“It was of great importance to participants that improvements were made to the way they work together,” said Ludwig. “This would help to ensure that Australia had a strong and vibrant food sector which could ensure a fairer deal for everyone.

“Participants acknowledged that a strong and growing food industry was dependent on having food producers and food retailers work together and that the industry had the key role of managing relationships throughout the supply chain,” Ludwig said.

“The Produce and Grocery Industry Ombudsman and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission both talked about existing mechanisms regulating commercial transactions,” Bradbury said. “There was a common view that improvements could be made and are best led by industry.

“The government supports an industry-led approach to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of Australia’s supply chain. We look forward to receiving a proposal from industry later this year,” Bradbury concluded.

Final comments on the National Food Plan green paper must be submitted by 30 September to be considered.