Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

Agency overview
Formed	21 October 1998
Preceding agency	Department of Primary Industries and Energy
Dissolved	18 September 2013
Superseding agency	Department of Agriculture
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Australia
Employees	5,185 (at April 2013)
Agency executive	Andrew Metcalfe, Secretary (2013) Conall O'Connell, Secretary (2007‑2013) Joanna Hewitt, Secretary (2004‑2007) Mike Taylor, Secretary (2000‑2004) Ken Matthews, Secretary (1998‑1999)
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	www.daff.gov.au

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.

DAFF policies and programs were to:

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:

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.

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. 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.

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