Agriculture and Food Home

The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) facilitates the development of self-reliant, profitable, competitive and sustainable Australian farm businesses and industries. The following departmental activities contribute to this goal:

• Through consultation with industry, the department develops and implements policies and programs that help to assure product safety and integrity. Particular emphasis is placed on on-farm risk management that relates to food safety.
• The department assists producers to make effective use of levies. For example, the National Residue Survey uses the levies of participating industries to facilitate access to international and domestic markets by providing residue testing services that meet market requirements.
• Through Codex Australia, the department is involved in the work of the international Codex Alimentarius Commission. Codex coordinates the food standards that help protect the health of consumers and assist in ensuring fair trade.