Ausveg has welcomed the release of the final report of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Food and Beverage Manufacturing – in particular, its call for a coordinated cross-government approach to better realize the health benefits of Australian agricultural produce, including vegetables.
That the Australian Government "through a cross-governmental approach, acknowledge and address the linkages between agrifood production and nutrition and health to minimize the impact of non-communicable diseases", is among the 23 recommendations contained in the inquiry's Food for Thought report is very welcome.
This recommendation closely aligns with AUSVEG's longstanding call for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach and investment in an evidence-based behavior change campaign to lift dire vegetable consumption rates among Australians – and realize billions of dollars in economic and health benefits.
A five-year, $125 million commitment to a coordinated national campaign to get Australians eating one more serving of vegetables by 2030 is also among the key commitments AUSVEG is seeking from all parties contesting the upcoming Federal election.
Ausveg CEO Michael Coote said the inquiry's recommendation was a welcome acknowledgment of the need for nationally coordinated efforts and investments in lifting vegetable consumption, which is critical to improving health outcomes and ensuring we have a viable vegetable industry into the future.
"Critically low vegetable consumption among Australians has been a major concern for many years, with recent industry research showing average consumption rates per Australian per day sitting at 1.8 serves of the recommended five nutritional serves," said Mr Coote.
"Poor diet, including not eating enough vegetables, is a major contributor to preventable, chronic disease, yet despite the widely-known health benefits, vegetable consumption nationally remains dangerously low.
"It has been clear for some time now that a coordinated effort to get Australians eating more veggies is desperately needed – and buy-in is required from across government, industry, and related sectors.
"Recent industry research has found that by boosting vegetable consumption by one serving per person per day by 2030, there is the potential to realize $4.7 billion in economic benefits. This includes a $1.4 billion reduction in taxpayer-funded healthcare costs, the creation of 13,000 new jobs, and a $3.3 billion boost to vegetable growers and across the vegetable supply chain.
"For members of the Parliamentary Committee – comprising Labor and Coalition MPs – to make this recommendation is a welcome acknowledgment that lifting vegetable consumption should transcend politics, and is bigger than any one government department, sector, or industry. Lifting vegetable consumption must be a national priority.
"AUSVEG is calling for all political parties to heed the inquiry's recommendation and to commit $125 million over five years for a coordinated, evidence-based campaign to boost vegetable consumption."
For more information:
Andrew MacDonald
AUSVEG
Tel: +61 03 9882 0277
Email: andrew.macdonald@ausveg.com.au
www.ausveg.com.au