Food Supply Chain Continuity Planning

Food supply chain continuity planning is part of the Australian Government Critical Infrastructure Resilience Strategy.

Planning to maintain continuity of the food supply during significant national emergencies began with the threat of avian influenza in 2003. It aimed to reduce the possible impact of an influenza pandemic on the functioning of the food supply chain.

In July 2006, the Council of Australian Governments endorsed the National Action Plan for Human Influenza Pandemic.

DAFF has coordinated the development of a national plan to maintain continuity of the food supply in the event of an influenza pandemic — AUSFOODPLAN — Pandemic, and complementary industry plan. This plan also includes the supply of groceries, as the food supply and distribution chain is the primary channel to market for a range of essential household health, hygiene and sanitary products that are essential during an emergency.

Planning has since been broadened to build the food chain’s resilience to respond to other emergencies, including bushfires, floods, cyclones or other unexpected disruptions, that could arise in a fast changing and increasingly uncertain environment. Work has commenced on an overarching AUSFOODPLAN — All Hazards, which will incorporate AUSFOODPLAN — Pandemic as a subordinate plan.

You can find out more about Australia’s health response on pandemic influenza at www.health.gov.au/pandemic.

The Australian Government has developed a number of information and planning tools for use by businesses (and other organisations) to get them started with their pandemic planning:

• Business Continuity Guide for Australian Business
• Building Resilience through Business Continuity and Pandemic Planning (for non–government organisations)

A generic, all hazards pantry list has been developed by the Australian food industry in the interests of the community.