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 »

“Food production must be paramount in any bid to sustainably manage water in the Murray-Darling Basin,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie declared today – just 9 days before the rationale underpinning the Basin Plan is released. According to the facts on the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) website, the Basin: * covers over 1 million square kilometres (14% of the total area of Australia); * generates 39% of the national income derived from agricultural... ...Read more »

With three regional Independent MPs thrust into the role of deciding the next federal government, agricultural policies will be forefront in the minds of all political parties. Whichever way the cards fall over the days and weeks ahead, farming issues and policies will be under intense scrutiny. The timing couldn’t be more critical for all political parties to reinforce their vision for Australia’s farm sector, with the National Farmers’ Federation’s (NFF) 2010 National Congress... ...Read more »

“There will be no new investments or priorities for Australia’s $137 billion-a-year farm sector under a Gillard Government,” is National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie’s assessment of the Government’s Agricultural Policy released today. “Today’s media release from Agriculture Minister Tony Burke is not so much a policy as a summary statement with a rehash of announcements we’ve already seen in this election campaign. It is... ...Read more »

“Today’s announcement by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott of an extra $300 million for on-farm works is a positive new investment in water-saving infrastructure in the Murray-Darling Basin,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie declared. The NFF has consistently called on the Government to accelerate delivery of water infrastructure projects to keep pace with its water buy-backs in the Basin. “The extra $300 million announced today is designed to forge... ...Read more »

Coalition’s agriculture policy meets with approval The Coalition’s new Agriculture Policy, released today, offers $150 million for increased research and development in agriculture and $8 million to map the carbon footprint of Australia’s agriculture and food production. The policy has been welcomed by the food and farming sector, including the National Farmer’s Federation, the Australian Food and Grocery Council and Growcom. Announced today at a property outside Orange, NSW, by Shadow... ...Read more »

In A double windfall for farmers the Coalition has committed to pursuing comprehensive trade agreements – reaffirming agriculture as a central pillar in all negotiations – and returning to a dedicated, stand-alone federal trade minister who has a seat in Cabinet. “Some have suggested Australia should throw in the towel and carve out sensitive sectors, such as agriculture, from future trade negotiations,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie explained.... ...Read more »

Federal minister for Agriculture Tony Burke today announced that an elected Labor government would introduce a National Food Plan, to examine food security, food quality, the affordability of food and the sustainability of food in Australia. The initiative would not require new funding, but instead come out of the Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program budget. “This is a first for Australia and will integrate all aspects of food policy by looking at the whole food chain, from... ...Read more »