As part of the development of a national food security strategy, the federal government has commissioned a food supply chain assessment. The decision was made during a meeting of the National Food Council on 23 March, focused on the impact of conflict in the Middle East on Australia’s food system.
The federal government invested $3.5 million last March to begin development of a national food security strategy, and established the council in November, under the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, to lead the work. The strategy, entitled Feeding Australia, is currently in its co-design phase, and is expected to be released in mid-2027.
The assessment will feed into the work of the newly established Fuel Supply Taskforce, and provide advice to government on practical steps to strengthen preparedness for disruptions to food production and supply chains.
Initially focused on diesel supply chains, the assessment will then expand to other critical agricultural inputs, including crop protection products and fertilisers. It will be led by Andrew Henderson on behalf of AgriFutures, who will step away from the National Food Council to undertake this work.
Simeon Gilding will join the council, bringing expertise in national security and international relations from senior positions at the Australian Signals Directorate, the Department of Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
An interim report focused on diesel supply chains will be provided to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry within one month, with a final report to be delivered by the end of the year.
The agrifood industry expressed concerns about the timeline, with National Farmers' Federation president, Hamish McIntyre saying farmers cannot wait for this report alone.
“This work is critical and, frankly, it can’t come soon enough given the pressures we’re seeing across the system. Andrew Henderson is a respected industry expert on these issues and we will work with him as he undertakes his review on behalf of AgriFutures,” said McIntyre.
“(However...) We are continuing to ask for a clear, actionable ag-specific plan from government to address the issues faced by farmers now and into the coming months ahead. This plan needs to clearly outline specific government actions, regulatory responses and associated trigger points to provide confidence to the nation’s food producers.”
The federal government stated it continues to work with farmers, producers and Australia’s agriculture industry to manage the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East, and is continuing to boost fuel supply to keep our farmers farming.
This includes the release of up to 762 million litres of petrol and diesel from Australia’s domestic reserves by amending the Minimum Stockholding Obligation, and around 100 million litres a month of new petrol supply a month by amending Australia’s fuel quality standards through to May.
Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, said the federal government is working day and night with farmers and producers to help manage the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East.
“Our farmers and producers feed millions of people both here and abroad, but events like the conflict in the Middle East reaffirm why we cannot be complacent,” said Collins.
“While Australia is food secure, we recognise the importance of supply chain resilience, including the supply of fuel and fertiliser, which is why we have commissioned this assessment. This assessment will provide advice to government on ways we can continue to strengthen preparedness for disruptions to food production and supply chains – building on frameworks already in place that help safeguard Australia’s food production.
“We continue to progress our National Food Security Strategy, which is about keeping food production and supply chains moving, and ensuring Australia continues to remain competitive on the global stage. I welcome Simeon Gilding to the National Food Council and the expertise he brings, and thank Andrew Henderson for his contributions alongside other members to date,” she said.
