Speaking in Orange today Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown called for a national register of foreign purchases of land or water in rural Australia."In the coming century food and fibre production will be a huge issue as the world population soars to 10 billion people or more," said Senator Brown.

"It is important Australians know who owns the productive farmlands and water rights of our country.

"Currently there is no register except in Queensland nor any vetting of foreign ownership by the Foreign Investment Review Board except for purchases in excess of $231 million.

"Ownership can lead to control of markets for food and therefore food prices so it's important we know who owns what," Senator Brown said.

Yesterday Deputy Leader Christine Milne also called for the ACCC to assess the impacts of food processor mergers and takeovers and called for an inquiry into National Competition Policy.