Australia produces enough food to feed its own population along with another 40 million around the world, but needs to be prepared to meet the challenge posed by climate change, federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig says.
Addressing the Victorian Rural Press Club on Thursday, Mr Ludwig said the nation's current food supply chains more than meet its existing needs.
"In addition to being a significant source of food for our own population, Australia's food industry currently feeds an additional 40 million people around the world," Senator Ludwig said.
"But the reality is the world changes rapidly, and Australia needs to be ready to meet emerging challenges such as the changing global food market, global population growth and climate change."
Senator Ludwig announced the federal government will produce a green paper for public consultation and then a final white paper as part of its development of a National Food Plan to underpin the future operation of Australia's food supply chains.
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He said while Australia was food secure, feedback to the government so far had highlighted a number of concerns, including the difficulties faced by small and remote communities because of the high cost of freight and the lack of major retail outlets.
"Moving to the other end of the food chain another issue that came up in feedback was nutrition and the link between food and population health," he said.
"It is vital that Australia's food supply is able to support the nutritional needs of all Australians, in both quantity and quality measures."
Senator Ludwig said there was also real concern about the excessive and inconsistent regulation of the food sector due to multiple levels of government.
"We are already taking action to reduce regulatory burden but we acknowledge more needs to be done," he said.
