Philippines, Australia Hold 6th Agriculture Forum

Philippine Ambassador to Australia Antonio Morales (seated, rightmost) attends the 6th Philippines-Australia Agriculture Forum co-chaired by DA Undersecretary Asis G. Perez (seated, leftmost) and DAFF Deputy Secretary Tina Hutchinson (seated, center) on 17 March 2025 in Canberra. (Canberra PE photo)

CANBERRA 02 April 2025 – The 6th Philippines-Australia Agriculture Forum (PAAF) convened in Canberra on 17 March 2025 and was co-chaired by Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Asis G. Perez and Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Deputy Secretary Tina Hutchinson. Philippine Ambassador to Australia Antonio Morales joined officials from the DA, DAFF and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) at the Forum. 

The discussions centered on expanding cooperation and capacity building in critical areas such as sanitary and phytosanitary measures, plant and animal biosecurity, herd build-up, disease diagnostics, fisheries collaboration, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural practices, including soil health and market access.

The Philippines underscored greater access for Philippine agricultural products in the Australian market and emphasized the need to enhance the balance and mutual benefits of the trade relationship. Australia shared insights on its Agricultural Traceability Strategy, which enables tracking of products from production to consumption to ensure food safety and prompt responses to food incidents.

Following the forum, the Philippine delegation engaged with officials from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) to discuss market access and trade remedy options. The delegation also visited Australia’s Post-Entry Quarantine Facility in Victoria to gain further insights into biosecurity measures and quarantine practices.

The 6th PAAF reaffirmed the shared commitment in fostering agricultural collaboration, strengthening food security, innovation, and sustainability which serve as a cornerstone of the broader economic and trade relations under the Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership. END 

Ambassador Morales (4th from left) welcomed the Department of Agriculture delegation led by Undersecretary Perez (4th from right) to the Philippine Embassy in Canberra on 16 March 2025. (Canberra PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.philembassy.org.au or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustralia/.