Regulation of agriculture

Public inquiry

The Australian Government asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a 9-month public inquiry into the regulatory burden on farm businesses.

The issues paper covered a range of issues on which the Commission sought information and feedback, and was intended to assist you in preparing a submission. Initial submissions were due by 12 February 2016. Read the issues paper

Read the issues paper

The inquiry focused on regulations that have a material impact on the competitiveness and productivity of Australian agriculture, with the aim of:

  • defining priority areas for removing or reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens on farm businesses, where doing so would raise the productivity of farm businesses and wider economy
  • identifying unnecessary restrictions on competition.

While the industry focus will be on agriculture, regulation imposed elsewhere in the supply chain - such as to meet the requirements of foreign markets - will also be considered if it leads to a burden on farm businesses which is significant and unnecessary.

The Commission was to have particular regard to:

  • where there is greatest scope to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and pursue regulatory objectives in more efficient (least cost) ways
  • whether the current level at which matters are regulated (national, State and local) is appropriate and if there is scope for better coordination across governments to reduce unnecessary overlap
  • whether Australia's farm export competitiveness can be improved by minimising duplication between domestic regulation and importing country requirements
  • relevant regulatory approaches adopted in other countries.

The Government requested that the inquiry not examine regulatory issues affecting marine fisheries and aquaculture because they will be investigated as part of a separate Productivity Commission inquiry.