20 April 2009
DAFF09/232B

Food security and the role of agriculture in the recovery from the global recession are high on Australia’s agenda for the G8+ Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke is attending the meeting in Treviso, Italy.

The G8 has extended invitations to Australia, the African Union, Argentina and Egypt, as well as the G5 nations of Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa.

“Australia has a major role to play in meeting the global food shortage and boosting global food security, which is shown by our involvement in this meeting,” Mr Burke said.

“We believe investment in agricultural research will be essential, along with increasing the capacity of other nations to produce their own food.

“This meeting is a chance to build on the commitment of G20 leaders in London to resist protectionism, strengthen world trade and achieve a breakthrough in the Doha Round of negotiations.

“Concluding Doha is the best insurance against protectionism and will give the global economy a major confidence boost.”

Following the Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting, Minister Burke will attend the G8+ Environment Ministers’ Meeting later this week, to discuss climate change and biodiversity issues.