JOINT STATEMENT
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Judith Troeth
Victorian Minister for Industry, Mark Birrell
Victoria has scored a major coup by winning the right to host the United Nations conference on food standards and trade,
the State's Industry Minister, Mark Birrell, and the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry, Senator Judith Troeth, announced today.
Mr Birrell said the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) conference, International Food Trade
Beyond 2000: Science Based Decisions, Harmonisation, Equivalence and Mutual Recognition, would be held in Melbourne on
October 11-15. It is the first time such a conference has been held outside Rome.
"Winning the right to host this conference is a coup for Victoria and Australia," he said.
"The conference is expected to attract about 300 expert delegates from 164 countries and they will all leave with a
better understanding of the quality and potential of Australia’s multi-billion dollar agri-food industry.
"Victoria is an ideal location for a conference to discuss global food standards - we are a major source of high quality
food products, producing the best of dairy, meat and cereal products, beverages, confectionery and processed food and
vegetables.
"On top of that, our clean-green credentials are impeccable and our regulatory environment, where government has set up
and enforces comprehensive food standards, is second to none."
Senator Troeth said Australia was a leader in food quality and safety technology, committed to improving the
international trade environment and, as host country, would play a key role at the conference.
"Our message is simple: 'Safe Food, Essential to Export Success'. Australia's experience as a leading exporter proves
that the best way to compete in an international market is to offer a clean, safe and sustainable product," Senator
Troeth said.
"The international food community will find Victoria an excellent showcase for what's happening all around Australia.
"Australia is encouraging active participation from developing countries to increase their awareness of these important
issues, and to help them meet international standards that improve their economies."
"Australia’s hosting of this Conference will highlight the importance of international standards in supporting the
future growth of global food trade - an issue of crucial importance for Australia’s agricultural and food exporters.
"The Conference is also timely in that it will highlight the importance of trade issues as we head into new agriculture
negotiations under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at the end of this year."
Senator Troeth pointed out that "further liberalisation of food trade will be a critical part of these negotiations for
Australia."
Jointly hosted by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, the conference is being held by the FAO in collaboration
with the World Health Organisation and the WTO.