Australia's 1st national food system review reveals hidden costs

Australia's 800 billion-Australian-dollar food system, which feeds 100 million people globally and supports 100,000 farmers, is under the spotlight in a landmark national report.

The report, released on Monday by the Food System Horizons initiative, a collaboration between the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency, and the University of Queensland, is the first comprehensive stocktake of Australia's entire food system.

The report estimates the hidden costs of Australia's food system, largely driven by environmental damage and health outcomes, at up to 274 billion Australian dollars annually, the highest per capita globally.

"Our food system is more than just producing and exporting commodities, it's also about providing equitable access to safe, nutritious and healthy food, produced sustainably for all Australians," said CSIRO Agriculture and Food Director Michael Robertson, who called for a new, integrated approach to managing the food system.

Despite strong economic performance and regional employment benefits, the food system is under strain from fragmented policymaking. Currently, food policy in Australia spans multiple government departments, from agriculture to health and urban planning, often with little coordination, the report said.

"We need to move from analyzing specific parts of the food system, to establishing coordinated reporting for important food system attributes and interactions, thus enabling connected-up action for a national food system that serves all," said CSIRO Sustainability Research Director Larelle McMillan.

As nearly one in three Australian households faces moderate or severe food insecurity each year, the report calls for a national reporting system to track food system performance, guide policy, and ensure access to sustainable, healthy food for future generations. (1 Australian dollar equals 0.65 U.S. dollars)