Portfolio overview

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Portfolio Overview

Minister and portfolio responsibilities

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio aims to enhance the sustainability, profitability and competitiveness of Australia’s agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry industries. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry oversees the portfolio.
From 1 July 2009 the portfolio is expected to consist of:

• The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Four prescribed agencies under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act):
• Biosecurity Australia
• Australian Fisheries Management Authority
• Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
• Wheat Exports Australia
• One statutory marketing authority:
• Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation
• Seven Research and Development Corporations
• Cotton, Fisheries, Grains, Grape and Wine, Land & Water, Rural Industries and Sugar.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Wheat Exports Australia also undertake regulatory roles.

The operations of Land & Water Australia will be wound up during the 2009–10 financial year and are not expected to contribute to portfolio outcomes from the
2010–11 financial year.

Each agency within the portfolio has at least one outcome and program. Details are provided in each agency’s section of this document.
The Dairy Adjustment Authority ceased during 2008–09, and will not contribute to the portfolio outcomes during the 2009–10 financial year. Therefore, detailed information for the authority is not included in this document.

Figure 1:  Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio structure and outcomes

Portfolio resources

Table 1 shows the total resources provided to the portfolio in the 2009–10 budget year, by agency.

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