What are the impacts for Australian food exporters under proposed changes to Australia’s new export assurance program?

The Australian government oversees agricultural produce and food products for export on the basis that it generally protects Australia’s reputation for important food commodities and products, as well as meeting product certification requirements set by foreign government regulators to shortcut the process where bilateral arrangements exist between Australia and those countries. The requirements of destination markets outside Australia are increasingly complex. This article analyses proposals discussed by the Australian Department of Agriculture for reforming these export control processes. The likely changes will increase costs for Australian exporters, as well as having other impacts as outlined in this article.