Coles supermarkets have launched a new marketing campaign around Australia promoting low prices for domestic fresh fruit and vegetables. The Coles campaign takes advantage of a current glut in fresh produce around Australia. However the campaign also signals greater competition for the “fresh” descriptor crossing into the marketing cornerstone of its major competitor, Woolworths. Over the past decade, Woolworths has branded itself by the slogan “Woolworths – the Fresh Food people”. Hence,... ...Read more »

Australia’s peak farming industry body, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and multinational Australian-based Westpac bank have launched plans for a Blueprint for Australian Agriculture. The blueprint will allow Australia’s food producers to help map Australia’s role in global food production over the next 40 years. Launching the Blueprint at Parliament House, Canberra, NFF President Jock Laurie said, “This initiative provides the opportunity for industry stakeholders to highlight... ...Read more »

Australia’s national farming industry association, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling on the Federal Government to ensure the future viability of Australia’s food manufacturing sector, without resorting to protectionist measures. NFF President Jock Laurie said in a statement today that it is in the interests of farmers to see a strong and vibrant manufacturing industry in Australia, particularly food manufacturing, but without compromising Australia’s long running trading... ...Read more »

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the introduction of the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) legislation into Federal Parliament and says it is pleased that it has addressed a number of the NFF’s key concerns raised through the draft consultation process. “We have always stated that we are broadly supportive of the concept and intent of the Carbon Farming Initiative,” NFF President, Jock Laurie explained. “Despite the uncertainties that abound in the area of carbon mitigation,... ...Read more »

This harvest, wheat farmers are being asked to spare a small portion of their crop to help feed Australian’s in need.Foodbank Australia, the country’s largest food relief organisation, has partnered with CBH Grain to provide growers with the opportunity to make a donation from this year’s production. The aim is to urgently source a supply of grain for processing and manufacturing into key staple foods, such as breakfast cereal and pasta. This will be distributed to the charities... ...Read more »

The Public Health Association of Australia has criticised the Government’s new Food Policy Working Group, saying that its panel represents industry presence over public heath interests. The Working Group, comprising 13 members, is made up of Woolworths managing director Michael Luscombe, NFF president Jock Laurie, Elders chief executive officer Malcolm Jackman, Linfox Logistics’ Michael Byrne, CSIRO’s Dr Alastair Robertson, Simplot Australia’s Terry O’Brien, OBE Organics’ Simone Tully,... ...Read more »

The federal government has established a new working group to advise on the challenges and policies impacting on the future of Australia’s food supply and agriculture industry. The National Food Policy Working Group is being launched today, and will be made up of supermarket giants, farmers, service providers and leading scientists. Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said he wanted Australia to adopt the same “strategic approach to food manufacturing” that has been taken with... ...Read more »

Australia farmers are urging new Federal Trade Minister Craig Emerson to hit the ground running by ramping up negotiations in north Asia and, first up, securing an agreement with Korea by early next year.”There’s a big chance we can nail agreements with both Korea and Japan in the short-term, while China will be a longer negotiation,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie explained following an NFF Trade Committee meeting in Canberra today. “Collectively,... ...Read more »

A Federal Government-led investigation to shed light on the extent and impact of foreign investment in Australian agriculture and its supply chain has been welcomed by new National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President Jock Laurie as “long overdue”. “We need to recognise that the growth and expansion of Australian enterprises – including agriculture, which accounts for 12% of GDP – greatly depends on foreign investment,” Laurie said. “Equally, I think most people would be alarmed by... ...Read more »

Today Australia’s peak farm body, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), elected Alexander ‘Jock’ Laurie as its 10th President, with outgoing President David Crombie stepping down after completing his full four-year term.Mr Laurie, 51, returns to farm representation after a year off, following his four years as President of the NSW Farmers’ Association (NSWFA), during which time he also served on the NFF Board, Members’ Council and as a Trustee of the Australian Farmers’... ...Read more »