The Self-Reliant Country: Sustainable Agricultural Policy for Australia?

Abstract

Contemporary Australian agricultural and food policy is strongly ­neo-liberal, with market forces as the basis for resource production, consumption and distribution. The national policy framework endorses continually increased levels and scales of production by a self-reliant farming sector that is highly responsive to market signals. Insufficient consideration is given to the unpaid environmental, social, community and human-health costs resulting from industrial-scale agriculture. This chapter examines how neo-liberalism has shaped Creating our future: Agriculture and food policy for the next generation (2006): the key Australian Government policy document on these topics. The report was developed to ensure the profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of future Australian agriculture and food production. The chapter will consider how pervasive neoliberal ideology determines many facets of agricultural policy, from attitudes to production, the development and expansion of markets and use and abuse of natural resources. Attention will be paid to the absence of a clear definition of ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable agriculture’, and the implications for future management and stewardship of the Australian environment. A conclusion is reached that the neo-liberal agenda is too limited to underpin policy designed to address the significant environmental, health and social future needs of the Australian agricultural environment.