Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Joe Ludwig's speech to the Australian Farm Institute yesterday.
"It's great to be here with you at the Australian Farm Institute roundtable and conference.
"I'd like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Turrbul people, and pay my respects to their elders both past and present.
"I would also like to acknowledge your chair, Dave Anthony and your executive director, Mick Keogh.
"Some months ago Mick asked if I could join you tonight and talk about the opportunities for Australian agriculture in Asia. He had good foresight.
"Two weeks ago the Prime Minister released The Australia in the Asian Century White Paper.
"The White Paper is the Government's roadmap for our future engagement with the Asian region.
"A region where there is a growing middle class - 500 million people now, 3.2 billion people in less than two decades.
"A region where, by 2025, half of the world's economic growth will be concentrated.
"A region whose population are seeking higher protein foods such as beef and dairy - those that we are suited to produce.
"Distance used to be a barrier for our primary industries. Now, our proximity to Asia presents great opportunity.
"Australia will be in the right place at the right time.
"Government and industry do need to prepare for future opportunities.
"Tonight I want to discuss the White Paper and what it means for our primary industries, food producers, and processors.
"I will share some insights from my South East Asia visit last week, particularly about the need for our ongoing engagement and pursuit of free trade agreements.
"I'll update you on the key themes we are addressing in Australia's first National Food Plan.
"And I will touch on the importance of foreign investment in our agriculture industries.
"As part of this I'll discuss getting the transition right - from where we are today to where we need to be in the Asian Century.
"The Government's White Paper is the map for Australia's transition.
"It will position our nation to make the most of opportunities presented by the Asian region.
"It will provide a pathway for engagement with Asia towards 2025 and beyond.
"Rural and regional Australia and agri-businesses will benefit as we seek to capture a healthy share of growing Asian markets.
"Increasing demand from Asia's middle class for high-quality food and agricultural products presents significant opportunity for our primary industries.
"Starting now, the Asian Century White Paper will prepare our agriculture sector for these opportunities.
"Much of the work is already underway.
"The National Food Plan will elevate food policy within government and across the supply chain. It will see us work together to make the food boom happen.
"On-going support for rural RD&E will help drive the innovation our primary industries need going forward.
"The Gillard Government has already provided $1.1 billion for rural R&D - around $200 million annually - since we came to office, and we want to do more in the future.
"Ongoing reforms to our biosecurity system will deliver smoother, faster transitions for goods and people across our borders.
"These reforms will also work to maintain world class protections for our primary industries and environment against pest and disease.
"The Asian Century White Paper will build upon the work we've already undertaken.
"It will see the Government work to boost productivity and ensure sustainability across our primary industries.
"Support for two-way investment with the Asia region will drive the development of Australia's regional and remote areas, especially in Northern Australia and Tasmania where there are growing opportunities for food and fibre production.
"And it will see Australia increase its engagement with Asia to maintain and improve our trade relationships, and capitalise on new and emerging trade opportunities.
"I will chair an industry roundtable on the White Paper in the near future.
"I want to ensure producers, processors, and communities all have the opportunity to benefit from Asia's rising demand for our products and services.
"The growth of Asia is already evident.
"The rise of the region means our key export markets are closer to home than ever before.
"The past decade has seen a shift in export share from Europe to Asia.
"Asia now receives almost two thirds of Australia's total agri-food exports.
"With wheat it's 72%, cheese 85%, beef 64% and sugar 71%.
"The region's economic growth and changing demographics will mean this demand for food, and more food choice, will continue to increase.
"ABARES has projected increased demand across Asia for vegetables and fruit, meat, cereals and dairy products.
"World beef imports are projected to be 300 per cent higher in 2050 than in 2007, increasing by about 3.3 per cent annually. Sheepmeat imports are forecast to rise by 500 per cent by 2050
"Much of this growth will be driven by China.
"India, another Asian giant, is expected to drive demand for dairy imports.
"Our proximity to Asia, strong biosecurity system and reputation for high quality, safe food are great opportunities for Australian producers.
"To take full advantage of these opportunities we need to drive access to these markets.
"The recent Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement is a strong example of our commitment to doing this.
"The Agreement delivers important improvements to market access for Australia's agriculture industries, like:
• "Annual increases in import volumes of liquid milk at zero tariff rates [compared to 20% for exports over and above the quota];
• "The phase out of tariffs on tropical fruit, such as melons, mangoes, pineapples and longans, by 2016; and
• "Improvements in market access for meat products through improved quotas, particularly pork.
"From 2023, rice exporters will benefit from open access arrangements and reduced tariffs. All rice tariffs will be eliminated by 2026.
"The Agreement also provides a commitment that wine exporters will receive the best tariff treatment Malaysia gives to any other country.
"The Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement is just one in a network of Free Trade Agreements we are pursuing in the Asian region to advance our trade interests in the Asian Century.
"Others include future Free Trade Agreements with Japan, the Republic of Korea and China, and multi lateral agreements such as the Trans Pacific partnership agreement.
"Ongoing Government and industry engagement in Asia is vital to recognising the full potential of our trading relationships.
"This was one of the key messages relayed to me on a trade mission I undertook to Vietnam and Thailand last week.
"I was the first Australian Agriculture Minister to visit Vietnam.
"It is a country that represents an emerging market for Australian exporters, and is a neighbour with which we share a strong bond.
"Vietnam's potential as a valuable trading partner into the future is clear, as is the importance both countries place on our relationship.
"Vietnam is a partner under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and is one of the countries negotiating the Trans Pacific Partnership with Australia.
"I met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, and Minister of Industry and Trade.
"I emphasised that Vietnam is a valued trading partner and that Australia wishes to grow the relationship into the future.
"These views were reciprocated by my Vietnamese counterparts.
"While on the ground I also spoke with local importers, Australians and other foreigners who conduct business in Vietnam about the best ways to strengthen our trade links.
"The overwhelming response was for industry to increase its physical presence in the country.
"Industry delegations, such as the group I took on the trip this time, visits by individual exporters, and the creation of strong personal relationships will be vital to the sustainability of our trading relationship.
"Vietnam is a growing market for wheat, malt, cotton, dairy and beef, among other food and fibre products.
"An active presence by those industries on the ground in Vietnam will help achieve the full potential of that growth.
"The visit to Thailand was the first by an Australian Agriculture Minister in a number of years.
"It coincided with the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between Thailand and Australia.
"It may surprise you to know that Thailand is currently our second largest agricultural trade partner in ASEAN, and our seventh largest globally, worth around $1 billion last financial year.
"While in Thailand, I met with the Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister.
"I also spoke with members of the Australia - Thailand Chamber of Commerce.
"Thailand is a significant agricultural exporter in its own right, but for Australian exporters it presents a growing market for wheat, cotton, dairy, malt and beef.
"Like in Vietnam, the importance of regular contact and strong personal relationships in maximising the potential for trade between the two nations was strongly emphasised.
"A number of people expressed the benefits to Australia of viewing Thailand as not only a tourist destination, but as a hub for access to its neighbours, including Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
"In both Thailand and Vietnam I reinforced Australia's reputation as a reliable supplier of high quality agricultural products.
"I discussed the role our trade in agri-products will play as the region's demand for food continues to grow.
"Australian industry and government need to continue to work together to embrace what will be a growing food trade into the future - both on the ground in South East Asia, and here domestically.
"Australia's first National Food Plan - a key component of the Asian Century White Paper - will help drive the action needed to position us as a food leader in the Asian region.
"We are busy developing the National Food Plan and I hope to release it early next year.
"Yes, the Food Plan has a focus on the domestic food supply chain.
"It also looks at how we can position our food industries to make the most of growing demand from consumers globally.
"Now is the time to look at ways we can reflect that growing demand in our agri-food exports and continue it in the future.
"The work being done by our rural research and development corporations is central to driving these advancements.
"The link between such advancement and R&D is indisputable.
"It will be one of the keys to taking full advantage of the opportunities in Asia.
"To increase our exports to Asia, farmers, government and regional communities will need to be able to respond quickly to our customer's demands.
"We will also need to manage and adapt to significant variables, like drought and climate change.
"I acknowledge the work Mick is doing first with the pilot and now on the National Rural Advisory Council in this area.
"To position ourselves as a major supplier, Australia will have to be become increasingly Asia aware.
"That means building long term relationships in Asia and improving how we work with our trading partners.
"We will need to know what Asia wants. This may mean upsizing, changing direction, or growing different crops.
"And we will need to produce the right high quality product to take full advantage of growing Asian markets.
"As the National Food Plan is developed, these advancements, and others that help our producers feed our nation and the world, will be considered.
"For hundreds of years, innovation and growth in Australia's food producing regions has been assisted by foreign investment.
"Foreign investment in Australian agriculture has supported employment, communities and a strong economy.
"It has helped build Australian agriculture in to what it is today and will continue to support the growth of our sector.
"The figures show foreign investment has remained stable for the past 30 years.
"Despite this, the Government recognises there are some concerns within the community about transparency of foreign ownership.
"We have acted to address these concerns.
"Last month the Prime Minister announced a Federal Government foreign ownership register of agricultural land.
"I expect the register to be up and running next year.
"Yes, I agree with greater transparency.
"I also agree with foreign investment.
"I have always been very public in my support for foreign investment and the benefit is brings to agriculture in this country.
"Those on the other side of politics are putting their political interest before the national interest.
"They are risking future investment and the capital that comes with it, and in doing so they risk jobs for rural families.
Australia's agriculture sector has a strong future, and that future will depend much on the growth of Asia.
"Many farmers and industry leaders recognise this, and have spoken out against their reckless campaign.
"It is a campaign that seems to attack our biggest trading partner, China, in particular.
"In actual fact, there is considerable potential to use Chinese investment capital to unlock underutilised land in our north.
"Recently China and Australia announced a joint study on cooperation in agricultural investment and technology.
"The aim is to address global food-security concerns and establish a best-practice approach to agricultural co-operation.
"The study considers, among other things:
- The potential for investment in new productive capacity in both countries;
- How R&D can raise productivity in agriculture in both countries;
- Opportunities in agricultural services; and
- Opportunities throughout the supply chain generally.
"The study is an opportunity for Australia and China to investigate how to work together to produce more food.
"It is the start of an ongoing process that will encourage further Chinese investment in Australia - not less.
"Our farmers' future will be well served by this type of engagement and relationship building with China.
"Initiatives like this will take our agriculture industries much further than the populist carry on by people such as Senator Joyce.
"Australia's agriculture sector has a strong future, and that future will depend much on the growth of Asia.
"We are seeing our export trade shift to our own region - not to the far away markets of the past.
"The decisions we make now about how we transition to the Asian century ahead are vital.
"I have outlined the importance of getting the policy settings right.
"That is what the Asian Century White Paper will work to do.
"I have talked about the importance of relationship building in Asia - by farmers, exporters and between governments.
"Engagement in the region - and actions such as my trade trip to Vietnam and Thailand - are important.
"The steps Government and industry take now will position us for the opportunities ahead.
"Taking the right steps will mean Australian producers and processors become the suppliers of choice in the Asian century.
"Working together now will mean we can look back years from now and know that Australian agriculture grasped this opportunity with both hands.