A national review of supply chains and freight handling initially slated for 2024 was brought forward recently, deemed ‘critical’ to Australia’s economy. NSW’s peak farming body welcomed the decision in a June 2023 media release, noting that Australia’s supply-chain shortcomings had been exposed by the pandemic and war in Ukraine, while extreme weather events had wrought havoc on rural and regional road and rail networks. “Australia produces some of the world’s best food and fibre, but if we can’t get it from farm gate to dinner plate we’ve got a big problem,” said NSW Farmers’ Business, Economics and Trade Committee chair John Lowe, calling for the organisation’s input into the upcoming review.
Source: NSW farmers welcome fast-tracked freight review I NSW Farmers media release, 20 June 2023
Lead image: Freight transport. Getting food from farm to fork in a safe, speedy and cost-effective fashion is key to making Australia’s agrifood sector competitive on the world stage, contends NSW Farmers. Credit: Shutterstock