Australia suggested to play larger role in Asian food security

Once finalized, FTA between China and Australia is expected to reduce the trade barrier and enable Australian agricultural product a smoother entry to the lucrative Chinese market just as its neighbor, New Zealand, has enjoyed since signing FTA with China in 2008.

The report points out that apart from increasing trade barriers, import restrictions, and government subsidies to farmers, countries can increase agricultural productivity by expanding public investment in rural public goods and increasing productivity. "Increases in productivity offer the opportunity not only to improve agricultural self-sufficiency rates, but also to raise overall levels of both farm production and national economic welfare," the report says.

The report also suggests Australia to retain a flexible exchange rate system and keep the dollar down. The recent depreciation of the Australian dollars "is already boosting farm income prospects and thus encouraging renewed investment in farming and agribusiness in Australia".

The Australian government is also recommended to take complementary measures to make its agricultural sector more competitive internationally and more attractive as a source of food supplies in Asia.

They include seeking greater market access for farm products abroad through trade agreement, considering Australia's own remaining protection of and subsidies to manufacturing, facilitating foreign investment in Australian farms and agribusinesses, encouraging infrastructure investment to lower trade costs along the food-value chain, and encouraging more investment in agricultural and food processing research and development.

Australians have strong feelings toward their land. It is a rather sensitive issue for foreign companies to invest in Australian farms or agricultural businesses.

At the end of last year, Treasurer Joe Hockey has vetoed the 3. 4 billion AU dollar (3.07 billion U.S. dollar) takeover of GrainCorp, which handles most of eastern Australia's grain crop and exports, by U.S. firm Archer Daniels Midland.