Clear and overt government support, as well as a favourable regulatory, policy and infrastructure landscape are crucial for the cellular agriculture sector to thrive within Australia's food and beverage industry.
However, companies are encountering significant hurdles that impede innovation and growth.
Recognising these challenges, Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA), in collaboration with industry leaders, submitted recommendations to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Science, and Resources for the inquiry into Food and Beverage Manufacturing in Australia.
The inquiry aims to explore opportunities for innovation and value-adding in the food and beverage sector, focusing on innovation trends, support for new technologies, domestic and export opportunities, and research and workforce needs.
Our submission comprised 12 recommendations, including:
Regulation
The current regulatory environment in Australia creates substantial cost and time barriers for cellular agriculture companies, creating a barrier to innovation and discouraging international companies from manufacturing in Australia. We advocate for the removal or reduction of these cost barriers, as well as the acceptance of food safety applications from Comparable Overseas Regulators to improve efficiency in assessing applications.
Infrastructure
We advocate for the Australian Government to strongly consider funding pilot and commercial facilities near feedstock sources to mitigate infrastructure bottlenecks which are resulting in companies relocating overseas.
Policy
Technological change means some Australian policy settings are no longer fit-for-purpose for an emerging cellular agriculture sector, which is resulting in trade barriers and inadequate access to public funding. We recommend the need for formal recognition of the need to diversify protein production, a whole-of-government approach to growing Australia’s biomanufacturing industry, and the appointment of a Food Minister and National Food Plan.
Research
Inclusion of cellular agriculture in government innovation priorities, along with public funding for plant molecular farming, will unlock significant research capacity and help overcome current technological challenges whilst creating domestic sovereign capability.
Download the full submission here. Or click here for more information on the inquiry:
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