8 April 2025
CropLife Australia welcomes today’s release of the National Food Security Preparedness Green Paper, which calls for food security preparedness to be elevated to the same level as national defence. CropLife has been proud to partner with The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) since the inception of this critical work. The report recognises the imperative to ensure that threats and risks are managed through preparedness, rather than simply reacting to crises, and that must become the standard operating principle of government.
“We are on the brink of a major agricultural policy crisis that will occur in less than a decade if action is not taken,” said Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia, the national peak industry body for the plant science sector. “If we continue to treat food security as a downstream issue rather than a national security pillar, we risk our economic wellbeing, sovereignty and regional influence.”
“Australia’s food system is currently vulnerable – reliant on ‘just-in-time’ supply chains and exposed to global shocks, climate change, and rising inequality. More than 30 per cent of Australian households’ face food insecurity. This is not just a social issue – it’s a national interest priority,” said Mr Cossey.
The Green Paper highlights the essential role of modern crop protection tools, such as glyphosate, and agricultural biotechnology in safeguarding Australia’s agricultural production against growing environmental, biosecurity, and geopolitical challenges. As climate change intensifies and global trade becomes more volatile, ensuring that farmers retain access to the essential tools they need to sustainably manage crop production is paramount.
The Paper also notes the increasing regulatory risk that could impact farmers ability to access essential agricultural products.
“We cannot keep removing crop protection tools from the market without providing viable, innovative alternatives,” said Mr Cossey. “The European Commission’s own Vision for Agriculture and Food paper released last month acknowledges that Europe will struggle to feed itself if it keeps taking tools away from its farmers without having an innovation pipeline for famers. We must not import this problem into Australia.”
“While Australia’s agriculture and plant science sector has already demonstrated world-leading resilience through diversified and de-risked supply chains, there remains a clear role for government to assist further improvement. Supporting trade agreements with new suppliers, accessing global innovation, incentivising domestic manufacturing and ensuring streamlined, science-based regulation will strengthen Australia’s self-sufficiency and protect its farmers against global shocks.
“The Green Paper highlights it’s time for the Department of Agriculture to stand up and demonstrate its ability to lead a food security preparedness agenda. This paper lays out the threats and the path forward. The Government must now respond with a clear, coordinated policy agenda that supports farmers and secures our nation’s food future,” concluded Mr Cossey.
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Contact: Elyse Denman | 0459 550 010 | elyse.denman@croplife.org.au