Our portfolio

Below is information on the portfolio’s statutory authorities and bodies, associated companies and other portfolio bodies.

The agriculture, fisheries and forestry portfolio comprises:

• the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, including the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
  
  
• three prescribed agencies under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997, which undertake regulatory roles
  • Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA). AFMA’s objectives, functions and powers are set out in legislation. It is responsible for ensuring the sustainable use and cost-effective management of Commonwealth fisheries resources.
  • Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APMVA). The APVMA is responsible for assessing and registering agricultural pesticides and veterinary medicines and for regulating them up to, and including, the point of retail sale.
  • Wheat Exports Australia (WEA). WEA was established on 1 July 2008 to manage the Wheat Export Accreditation Scheme, which regulates the export of bulk wheat from Australia.
    
    After eight years of operation, the Dairy Adjustment Authority in April 2008 made the final scheduled quarterly payments to unitholders. Between making the final payment to farmers, and its formal closure on 31 December 2008, the DAA focused on finalising its 2007-08 reporting obligations and making deceased estate and failed credit payments. Under the Dairy Adjustment Levy Termination Act 2008, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has assumed the powers and functions of the DAA. More information...
    
    Biosecurity Australia ceased to be a prescribed agency from 1 July 2009 and its activities were brought within the department.
    
    
• one statutory marketing authority, the Wine Australia Corporation, which is responsible for promoting and regulating Australian wine and brandy and providing information and analysis on the wine sector.
  
  
• six research and development corporations (RDCs):
  • Cotton Research and Development Corporation
  • Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
  • Grains Research and Development Corporation
  • Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation
  • Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
  • Sugar Research and Development Corporation
    
    
  These bodies were created under the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989 and the functions and powers of the RDCs are set out in that Act. They are subject to the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997.
  
• other statutory bodies:
  • Statutory Fishing Rights Allocation Review Panel
  • the fisheries joint authorities: Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority, the Queensland Fisheries Joint Authority, Western Australia Fisheries Joint Authority and Northern Territory Fisheries Joint Authority
  • Forest and Wood Products Council
  • Natural Heritage Ministerial Board.
  
  These bodies are established under statute, each with varying functions specified in respective pieces of enabling legislation.

Appointments to portfolio bodies

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has developed the Balance database to support the search for potential appointees to Australian Government bodies, particularly bodies within the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio. Balance lists people with relevant skills, experience and expertise who are interested in being considered for these positions. Consistent with our obligations under the Privacy Act 1988, the database contains personal details, information on work experience, educational qualifications, interests and areas of expertise.

• Balance database

Advisory bodies

A number of statutory and non-statutory bodies provide independent advice or oversight on the department's policy, program and operational responsibilities. These bodies draw on industry stakeholders and other outside expertise to perform a range of roles, including overseeing development and implementation of national plans and strategies, monitoring performance, reviewing findings and decisions, and making recommendations on project funding.

• Two statutory advisory bodies are:
• • Australian Landcare Council (ALC)
  • National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC).
    
    These bodies are established under a specific statute and provide advice to the minister and the department. The ALC is a ministerial advisory body on Landcare and natural resource management. NRAC advises the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on rural issues, including Exceptional Circumstances applications and extensions.
    
    
    
• Significant non-statutory bodies are:
• • Biosecurity Advisory Council
  • Eminent Scientists Group
  • Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel
  • Rural Research and Development Council.
    
    
    
    These bodies have advisory responsibilities either to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry or the Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine on a range of key portfolio issues.
    
    
    
• Other advisory bodies include the following:
• • Product Safety and Integrity Committee
  • Live Trade Animal Welfare Partnership Project Advisory Committee
  • Livestock Export Standards Advisory Group
  • National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare
  • Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee
  • Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program Independent Advisory Panel
  • Tasmanian Forest Contractors Exit Assistance Program Advisory Panel
  • industry consultative committees
    
    

• Another non-statutory portfolio body is the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee, of which the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is a member.
  
  
  
• There are also nine industry-owned companies. These companies provide marketing and R&D services for the benefit of the Australian egg, livestock, meat, pork, wool, dairy, forest, horticulture and wood industries. Their boards are accountable to their industry members through the Corporations Act 2001 and to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry through statutory funding agreements. The agreements entitle the companies to receive industry levies and matching funding for eligible research and development expenditure.
  
  
  
• There are associated not-for-profit portfolio companies established under corporations law that receive funding from the Australian Government. They include: Animal Health Australia (AHA), Landcare Australia Limited, and Plant Health Australia (PHA). The Commonwealth is a shareholder in AHA and PHA.

Portfolio outcomes

The department and the portfolio agencies each have their own planned outcomes that contribute to the portfolio outcome:

More sustainable, profitable and competitive Australian agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry industries.

Our ministers

Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, oversees the portfolio.

The Hon. Sid Sidebottom MP, Member for Braddon, has been appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Ministerial councils

The department contributes to national approaches in agriculture, fisheries and forestry through the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC). Until June 30 2011, the department also contributed to managing Australia's land, water, vegetation and biological resources through the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (NRMMC).

The councils were established in 2001 by agreement between the Australian Government and state and territory governments. The role of the councils has been to integrate Australia's conservation and sustainable production objectives.

At its meeting on 13 February 2011, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to form two new COAG standing councils on primary industries, and environment and water.

The new COAG standing council on primary industries will be chaired by Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig, the Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The new COAG standing council on environment and water will be chaired by the Hon. Tony Burke MP, the Australian Government Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

As a result of COAG’s decision, the remit of the Natural Resources Management Ministerial Council was withdrawn on 30 June 2011. NRMMC held its last meeting on 4 November 2010. When the new standing councils commence, the remit of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council will also be withdrawn.