Stronger stance required on food security

Brisbane Markets today encouraged the State Opposition to take a stronger stance on food security issues during a visit by Queensland Leader of the Opposition John-Paul Langbroek and Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Ray Hopper.

Brisbane Markets CEO Andrew Young told the visitors that the horticulture industry would push federally for a national food security policy but warned the State Government must also play a lead role in ensuring the ongoing strength and viability of the state’s primary industries.

Mr Young said the State’s agriculture industries would increasingly be under threat from incompatible land uses from mining and urban development, competition for water and labour and the threat posed by biosecurity issues and imports.

This would be exacerbated by government predictions of an increase in the population of Australia to swell to 36 million people by 2050. He said while Brisbane Markets had entered an ambitious $150 million redevelopment plan, investing in Queensland’s horticulture infrastructure, future business expansion and investment State-wide could be marred by a lack of clarity over the industry’s future.

Queensland’s fruit and vegetable wholesaler representative organisation, Brismark, joined the discussions with its chairman Gary Lower aiding Brisbane Markets Limited chair Tony Joseph and the visitors as they toured the Brisbane Produce Market trading floor.

The visitors met with retailers and wholesalers as they traded, learning how the central market system operated. The fact finding discussions also centred on the increasing costs of regulation on small business and other issues such as amendments to the Horticulture Code of Conduct.

The Brisbane Markets, located at Rocklea, is Queensland’s only central fruit and vegetable market, with an annual trade of approximately 600,000 tonnes valued at more than $1 billion. It supports 91 businesses and has up to 3,500 people work or do business on the site on a daily basis.

  
Touring the Brisbane Markets, from left, were Queensland Leader of the Opposition John-Paul Langbroek, Brismark Chair Gary Lower, Brisbane Markets CEO Andrew Young, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Ray Hopper and Brisbane Markets Limited Chair Tony Joseph.

Discussions on the Brisbane Produce Market selling floor between (from left) Brisbane Markets Limited chair Tony Joseph, leading fruit and vegetable retailer Carlo Lorenti and Queensland Leader of the Opposition John-Paul Langbroek.