❓ Question regarding the Food Strategy WA forum, specifically addressing concerns about communication with food producers, cancellation of regional forums, and the inclusion of relevant departments in the strategy. The Minister acknowledges issues and outlines corrective actions.
AnsweredQoN 263Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FOOD STRATEGY WA FORUM
I refer to a report in the Farm Weekly of 27 March that stated that food producers in the south west want to know why they were not advised about a forum to respond to the state government’s Food Strategy WA. (1) Were food producers advised about the forum, and, if so, by what means; and, if not, why not? (2) Is the minister aware that — (a) the forums scheduled for Bunbury, Geraldton and Northam had to be cancelled due to a lack of interest; and (b) the industry development director of the Department of Agriculture and Food reportedly conceded that there was a problem with the promotion of the forums to industry? (3) Will the regional forums be reconvened, and, if so, when, and how will they be promoted? (4) Given that the Western Australian Farmers Federation’s policy director reportedly said that the Departments of Water and Environment and Conservation were “two glaring omissions” from the strategy, will they now be included? Hon KIM CHANCE
I refer to a report in the Farm Weekly of 27 March that stated that food producers in the south west want to know why they were not advised about a forum to respond to the state government’s Food Strategy WA. (1) Were food producers advised about the forum, and, if so, by what means; and, if not, why not? (2) Is the minister aware that — (a) the forums scheduled for Bunbury, Geraldton and Northam had to be cancelled due to a lack of interest; and (b) the industry development director of the Department of Agriculture and Food reportedly conceded that there was a problem with the promotion of the forums to industry? (3) Will the regional forums be reconvened, and, if so, when, and how will they be promoted? (4) Given that the Western Australian Farmers Federation’s policy director reportedly said that the Departments of Water and Environment and Conservation were “two glaring omissions” from the strategy, will they now be included? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(1) Were food producers advised about the forum, and, if so, by what means; and, if not, why not? (2) Is the minister aware that — (a) the forums scheduled for Bunbury, Geraldton and Northam had to be cancelled due to a lack of interest; and (b) the industry development director of the Department of Agriculture and Food reportedly conceded that there was a problem with the promotion of the forums to industry? (3) Will the regional forums be reconvened, and, if so, when, and how will they be promoted? (4) Given that the Western Australian Farmers Federation’s policy director reportedly said that the Departments of Water and Environment and Conservation were “two glaring omissions” from the strategy, will they now be included? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(2) Is the minister aware that — (a) the forums scheduled for Bunbury, Geraldton and Northam had to be cancelled due to a lack of interest; and (b) the industry development director of the Department of Agriculture and Food reportedly conceded that there was a problem with the promotion of the forums to industry? (3) Will the regional forums be reconvened, and, if so, when, and how will they be promoted? (4) Given that the Western Australian Farmers Federation’s policy director reportedly said that the Departments of Water and Environment and Conservation were “two glaring omissions” from the strategy, will they now be included? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(b) the industry development director of the Department of Agriculture and Food reportedly conceded that there was a problem with the promotion of the forums to industry?
(4) Given that the Western Australian Farmers Federation’s policy director reportedly said that the Departments of Water and Environment and Conservation were “two glaring omissions” from the strategy, will they now be included? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(1) Were food producers advised about the forum, and, if so, by what means; and, if not, why not? (2) Is the minister aware that — (a) the forums scheduled for Bunbury, Geraldton and Northam had to be cancelled due to a lack of interest; and (b) the industry development director of the Department of Agriculture and Food reportedly conceded that there was a problem with the promotion of the forums to industry? (3) Will the regional forums be reconvened, and, if so, when, and how will they be promoted? (4) Given that the Western Australian Farmers Federation’s policy director reportedly said that the Departments of Water and Environment and Conservation were “two glaring omissions” from the strategy, will they now be included? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(2) Is the minister aware that — (a) the forums scheduled for Bunbury, Geraldton and Northam had to be cancelled due to a lack of interest; and (b) the industry development director of the Department of Agriculture and Food reportedly conceded that there was a problem with the promotion of the forums to industry? (3) Will the regional forums be reconvened, and, if so, when, and how will they be promoted? (4) Given that the Western Australian Farmers Federation’s policy director reportedly said that the Departments of Water and Environment and Conservation were “two glaring omissions” from the strategy, will they now be included? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(b) the industry development director of the Department of Agriculture and Food reportedly conceded that there was a problem with the promotion of the forums to industry?
(4) Given that the Western Australian Farmers Federation’s policy director reportedly said that the Departments of Water and Environment and Conservation were “two glaring omissions” from the strategy, will they now be included? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(1) Yes. The Department of Agriculture and Food promoted the regional forums through its agrifood infonet e-news service, which goes to approximately 2 400 Western Australian agrifood businesses, government departments and industry organisations and associations. (2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(2) (a) The forums were postponed when it was recognised that they would not provide a representative cross-section of local businesses and the community. (b) Yes. There were some issues with the forums being scheduled prior to the Easter long weekend and with getting information to all of industry. However, the department held a very successful industry forum day in Perth as well as in Albany. (3) Yes. The regional forums have been rescheduled and other regional locations have been added to the list, including Carnarvon. The forums will be held in Geraldton on 7 April, in Carnarvon on 9 April, in Bunbury on 9 April and in Northam on 11 April. The changed dates have been announced on the department’s agrifood infonet home page, e-news and to regional industry bodies and regional media. WAFarmers and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia have been notified of the forum details and invited to send representatives. (4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
(4) The Department of Water and the Department of Environment and Conservation are members of the interdepartmental working group that is developing the strategy. Their omission from the list of departments was an oversight.
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