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The regeneration of Australia’s food and farming systems
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The regeneration of Australia’s food and farming systems
3 people looking out at a paddock of black pigs at the foot of a small hill.
Two lines of people, one sitting and one standing. Everyone has their fists raised above their head and are smiling.
3 people looking out at a paddock of black pigs at the foot of a small hill.
Two lines of people, one sitting and one standing. Everyone has their fists raised above their head and are smiling.
29 June 2023
29 June 2023

Finalising the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance Legal Guide

Grant Amount: $15,000

Region: National

Delivered by: Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance

Year funded: 2023

Project status: In progress

The Challenge

In Australia, the legislation affecting farmers varies from state to state. Farmers must navigate multiple government departments, such as Agriculture, Health, Primary Production, Planning, and Environment, for licenses and regulatory compliance. Inconsistent planning, regulation, and legislation mean that farmers can encounter significant challenges and barriers to growing and producing food.

The Innovation

The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA) is a farmer-led civil society organisation of people working towards socially-just and ecologically-sound food and agriculture systems. Members have access to AFSA’s Legal Defence Fund (LDF) which provides funding or legal advice on common legal and planning challenges within the food system.

Sustainable Table is supporting AFSA to create a Legal Guide, a critical resource for farmers and other food producers to navigate common challenges across planning provisions, food safety licensing, regulation, employment, distribution and land-sharing agreements. The organisation is developing practical templates for farmers across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. The Legal Guide will be used as a living resource and updated as legislation changes.

Why did Sustainable Table fund this project?

AFSA is a critical, farmer-led advocacy organisation in Australia’s food system with a long history of impactful work. This project has the potential to assist many regenerative farmers and producers across Australia. The guide could also inform advocacy efforts to change government regulation/policy that is a barrier to regenerative farmers and their allies.