National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), Media Release, 15 April 2024

The National Farmers’ Federation will host a series of roundtables across April and May to confirm support for the broad characteristics and principles that must be used in defining Indigenous agricultural products. 

The roundtables are the next phase in consultation in the Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework Project, being led by the NFF and jointly funded by the Australia Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC). 

NFF President David Jochinke said it was essential the widest range of voices were heard at this stage to ensure project’s objectives are achieved, including delivering ongoing prosperity to Indigenous peoples and business by being able to demonstrate authenticity and verifying claims about their products. 

“The first and most important step is to reach agreement among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander producers about what characteristics must define an Indigenous agricultural product,” Mr Jochinke said.  

“We are calling all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in agriculture, as well as non-Indigenous people interested in promoting Indigenous prosperity through agriculture, to participate in one of the roundtables.” 

Initial consultations with a range of key stakeholders has identified five characteristics as being critical to the definition of an Indigenous Agricultural Product: 

1. Connection to Culture 
2. Connection to Country 
3. Sustainability 
4. Collective Benefit 
5. Economic Self-determination 

The roundtables will be focused on:  

• Confirming support for the five characteristics of Indigenous agricultural products that have been identified through initial consultation with Indigenous people and business,  
• Seeking input on a proposed working definition of an Indigenous agricultural product that draws on the identified five characteristics, and 
• Testing interest in establishing a supporting credential system, enabling producers to make verified claims about their products in market. 

Six (6) virtual roundtables will be held at the following times.  

• Wednesday 17th of April from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
• Thursday 18th of April 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM  
• Tuesday 23rd of April 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM 
• Wednesday 24th of April 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
• Wednesday 1st of May 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM 
• Thursday 2nd of May 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM  

Parties interested in registering for a roundtable, or requiring further information on the roundtables or the project can visit https://nff.org.au/programs/indigenous-agricultural-product-framework-project/.  

Those unable to participate in a roundtable session but interested in contributing to this important phase in consultation are encouraged to complete a short survey, also available at the above webpage.