A government inquiry will explore opportunities in growing and innovating Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources is inviting written submissions from small and large manufacturers detailing their experiences, aspirations and worries about their businesses, and from experts sharing their knowledge about food science, process engineering and packaging.
“Australian scientists and food manufacturers are making inroads into high-tech emerging sectors and developing new high value-added products built on our world-class agricultural sector. They are adopting process innovations to make traditional food and beverages tastier, safer, cleaner and more productive,” committee chair Rob Mitchell MP said.
“At the same time, the sector is innovating and finding alternative sources for fossil fuel-based process heat, reducing water consumption and waste, and developing packaging solutions that keep plastic pollution out of landfill and our oceans.”
The inquiry will examine the state of innovation in the industry, including new technologies for post-farmgate food and beverage manufacturing and packaging, and opportunities for growth in new product markets, Mitchell added.
The committee noted that Australia’s food manufacturing industry employs more than 20 per cent of all manufacturing workers.
The deadline for the submission is on May 1.
