Some Issues in the Application of Competition Policy to Agriculture

National Competition Policy aims to further micro-economic reform by creating a more competitive environment for both industry and government activity. In 1995 Australian Governments agreed to the National Competition Policy package, which included the Competition Principles Agreement. To meet its commitments, the NSW Government has actively applied the principles of the agreement to its various portfolios, including agriculture. In this paper, comments are provided in process issues associated with implementation of the Competition Principles Agreement that have influenced reform outcomes. Comments are then provided on several specific issues arising from the application of the agreement to agriculture, including the identification and measurement of public benefits and costs.