Better Agriculture Podcast Episode 1 - April 2023

Bayer Crop Science Australia

Episode #1: Shoring up Australia’s food security With an increasing population placing more demand on the agriculture sector, food security is a growing issue around the world. On this episode of Better Agriculture, we dive into Australia’s role in feeding the world, as well as making nutritious food affordable and accessible here at home. Show notes Our host Ed Gannon is joined by Warren Inwood, Managing Director for Bayer Crop Science Australia & New Zealand, and Caitlin McConnel, Chair of the Future Farmers’ Network to discuss: • [01:24] Bayer Crop Science Australia’s current focus on increasing Australia’s rate of innovation. • [03:31] Warren and Caitlin’s farming experiences. • [06:58] What is food security, and where does Australia sit on the issue? • [12:56] What is the parliamentary inquiry into food security in Australia and what submissions did Warren and Caitlin make? • [23:31] Climate change litigation and the impact of climate change on food security. • [28:57] Views on inflation and its impact on food security in Australia. • [34:45] The opportunities for digital agriculture to help improve food security in Australia. • [37:44] What do Warren and Caitlin want to see out of the parliamentary inquiry into food security in Australia, and what needs to happen to improve food security domestically and in the region. Guest details Warren Inwood is the head of Bayer’s Crop Science Division in Australia and New Zealand. Born and raised in Bathurst, Warren has spent most of his career in ag science and technology. Having worked around the world South Africa, Europe and Singapore, Warren can now bring a global perspective on ag innovation back to his local roots. He is passionate about investing in local agriculture, including spending time on his farm in Wagga. Caitlin McConnel is a Senior Associate at Clayton Utz, specialising in agricultural legislation and policy, focusing on food and water law, and climate change litigation. She is currently a Non-Executive Director & Chair of the Future Farmers Network, a Board Member of RRR Women, and a member of the National Farmers’ Federation Young Farmers’ Council. Caitlin is also a sixth-generation grazier whose passion for agriculture stems from her work on her family’s historical property, which produces beef cattle in Toogoolawah, Queensland. Resources and further information: • Read more about the parliamentary inquiry into food security in Australia here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Agriculture/FoodsecurityinAustrali • Read Bayer Australia’s submission into the parliamentary inquiry on food security here: https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=f4635073-bcf6-4b49-ac6e-905cae510bdb&subId=728200 • Read Caitlin McConnel’s submission into the parliamentary inquiry on food security here: https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=1773b48c-1d61-47ee-8e2b-09db1130e51a&subId=728162 • Rome Declaration on World Food Security, providing an initial definition of food security here: https://www.fao.org/3/w3613e/w3613e00.htm • The Australian Institute of Family Studies 2020 paper on ‘Understanding food insecurity in Australia’ here: https://aifs.gov.au/resources/policy-and-practice-papers/understanding-food-insecurity-australia • Read more about the UK’s independent review into its food system, ‘The National Food Strategy: Independent Review’ here: https://www.nationalfoodstrategy.org/ • Read more about FieldView – a new digital agriculture tool that supports foods security here: https://www.crop.bayer.com.au/products/fieldview