Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia, 1998–2013)

For the department of the same name which was created in 2022, see Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) was an Australian government department that existed between 1998 and 2013, when it was renamed as the Department of Agriculture. DAFF's role was to develop and implement policies and programs that ensure Australia's agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries remained competitive, profitable and sustainable.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

Department overview
Formed	21 October 1998[1]
Preceding Department	Department of Primary Industries and Energy
Dissolved	18 September 2013
Superseding Department	Department of Agriculture
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Australia
Employees	5,185 (at April 2013)[2]
Department executive	Andrew Metcalfe, Secretary (2013)[3][4] Conall O'Connell, Secretary (2007–2013)[5][6] Joanna Hewitt, Secretary (2004–2007)[7][5] Mike Taylor, Secretary (2000–2004)[8] Ken Matthews, Secretary (1998–1999)[9]
Child agencies	AQIS – Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service ABARE – Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics BRS – Bureau of Rural Sciences Biosecurity Australia AFMA – Australian Fisheries Management Authority Wheat Exports Australia Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Cotton Research and Development Corporation Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Grains Research and Development Corporation Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Sugar Research and Development Corporation Wine Australia Corporation
Website	Official website

DAFF policies and programs were to:^{[citation needed]}

• encourage and support sustainable natural resource use and management
• protect the health and safety of plant and animal industries
• enable industries to adapt to compete in a fast-changing international and economic environment
• help improve market access and market performance for the agricultural and food sector
• encourage and assist industries to adopt new technology and practices
• assist primary producers and the food industry to develop business and marketing skills, and to be financially self-reliant.

Scope

DAFF facilitated the development of self-reliant, profitable, competitive and sustainable Australian farm businesses and industries. Through consultation with industry, DAFF developed and implemented policies and programs that helped to assure product safety and integrity. Particular emphasis was placed on on-farm risk management that related to food safety.

Divisions which fell within the broader department included: Sustainable Resource Management (Fisheries), Climate Change (Drought Assistance, Australia's Farming Future, Forestry), Agricultural Productivity (FarmReady, Animal Welfare, Crops Horticulture & Wine, Food) and Trade & Market Access (Free Trade Agreements). DAFF's Biosecurity function, which was previously performed by AQIS, managed quarantine controls at Australia's borders to minimise the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering the country. DAFF also provided import and export inspection and certification to help retain Australia’s highly favourable animal, plant and human health status and wide access to overseas export markets.

At its creation, the department dealt with the following principal matters:^[10]

• Agricultural, pastoral, fishing, food and forest industries
• Water, soils and other natural resources
• Rural adjustment and drought issues
• Rural industries inspection and quarantine
• Primary industries research including economic research
• Commodity marketing, including export promotion end agribusiness
• Commodity-specific international organisations and activities
• Administration of international commodity agreements
• Administration of export controls on agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries products
• Food policy, processing and exports

Biosecurity role

DAFF managed quarantine controls at Australia's borders to minimise the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering the country. DAFF also provided import and export inspection and certification to help retain Australia's highly favourable animal, plant and human health status and wide access to overseas export markets.^{[citation needed]}

DAFF continuously looked to improve the effectiveness of the quarantine effort by working closely with other areas within DAFF to manage Australia's biosecurity system.^{[citation needed]} The Department also worked closely with other Australian Government agencies – such as Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Department of Health and Ageing, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) and state/territory governments – to support their management of post–border detections and incursions of quarantine pests and diseases, and to support our own verification and certification activities for agriculture and food products.

Previous agencies

• Department of Primary Industry (11 January 1956 – 2 June 1974)
• Department of Agriculture (12 June 1974 – 22 December 1975)
• Department of Primary Industry (22 December 1975 – 24 July 1987)
• Department of Primary Industries and Energy (24 July 1987 – 21 October 1998)

Subsequent agencies

• Department of Agriculture (18 September 2013 – 21 September 2015)
• Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (21 September 2015 – 29 May 2019)

References

1. CA 8610: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 6 December 2013
2. Australian Public Service Commission (2 December 2013), State of the Service Report: State of the Service Series 2012–13 (PDF), Australian Public Service Commission, p. 253, archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2013
3. Vidot, Anna (19 September 2013). "Agriculture Dep't boss sacked as ministry sworn in". Australian Broadcasting Commission. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013.
4. Bettles, Colin (18 September 2013). "Metcalfe sacked from DAFF". Farm Weekly. Western Australia. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013.
5. Howard, John (26 April 2007). "Secretary Appointments" (Press release). Archived from the original on 19 December 2013.
6. Gillard, Julia (28 September 2012). "Appointment of Secretaries" (Press release). Archived from the original on 19 December 2013.
7. Howard, John (22 October 2004). "Appointment of Secretaries" (Press release). Archived from the original on 19 November 2013.
8. Mr Mike Taylor AO, Bushfire CRC, archived from the original on 16 April 2012
9. Our People: Ken Matthews AO, The Centre for Strategy and Governance, archived from the original on 19 August 2013
10. Administrative Arrangements, 21 October 1998 (PDF), National Archives of Australia, 21 October 1998, archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2013