Regional Tech Hub closes after six years connecting the bush
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has confirmed the Regional Tech Hub will wrap up after Australian Government funding for the program ended on 30 June and efforts to secure an alternative funding source were not successful. Since launching in December 2020, the Regional Tech Hub has provided free, independent and practical phone and internet advice to people across […]
NFF welcomes telecomms inquiry, but urges immediate action
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) inquiry into domestic mobile roaming, but says the Government should mandate roaming now and let the ACCC focus on how to implement this important policy. Domestic mobile roaming would enable phones to automatically switch to another mobile network where their own […]
Farmers urged to update biosecurity plans as bird flu spreads locally
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has urged farmers to urgently review their biosecurity plans, as the H5N1 strain of avian influenza spreads. Testing has today confirmed the influenza strain has spread between wild birds on Australian soil for the first time since the disease’s detection last month. NFF CEO Mike Guerin said the news is […]
Food fraud highlights the unfair fight for retail shelf space
The NFF Horticulture Council says revelations expected in tonight’s Four Corners investigation into food fraud should prompt a broader conversation about whether imported food products are being held to the same standards as Australian-grown produce. Four Corners’ two-part investigation, Duped: Food Exposed, is expected to examine food authenticity, misleading origin claims, undeclared ingredients and the […]
Agriculture sector deeply disappointed by new, increased United States tariff
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is deeply disappointed in the United States’ decision to impose a new 12.5 per cent tariff on Australian exports, replacing the existing 10 per cent tariff that was scheduled to expire today. The new, increased tariff represents a further and unnecessary trade barrier between two trusted allies with a long-standing […]
Paul Burke appointed Independent Chair of NFF Horticulture Council
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Horticulture Council has appointed Paul Burke as its new independent Chair, bringing extensive experience in agricultural industry representation, governance and advocacy to the role. Mr Burke’s appointment follows a rigorous, merit-based recruitment process undertaken by the Council over recent months. He succeeds Jolyon Burnett, who has chaired the Council since […]
Statement on the U.S. safeguard investigation into lamb imports
Comments attributable to NFF President Hamish McIntyre The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) unequivocally supports Sheep Producers Australia (SPA), the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) as they lead the industry’s engagement on this issue. This follows the recommendation by the U.S. Trade Representative to initiate a U.S. International Trade Commission […]
Farm sale prompts market distortion concerns
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has questioned the approval process behind the sale of Tasmania’s biggest farm to a UK investor. NFF CEO Mike Guerin said the approval of the 22,000 hectare Rushy Lagoon sale has left stakeholders questioning the logic behind the decision. “We’re concerned that there were buyers that were potentially disadvantaged in the process […]
NFF welcomes investment in national traceability coordination
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the Australian Government’s investment in strengthening Australia’s agricultural traceability systems through a new industry-led national traceability governance mechanism. The Australian Government has provided the NFF funding to establish the successor to the Australian Agricultural Traceability Governance Group (AATGG), supporting nationally coordinated implementation of the National Agricultural Traceability Strategy. […]
Farmers are not the Greens’ bargaining chip
Opinion editorial by Hamish McIntyre, NFF President On 1 July, the new National Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Information Australia formally commence. This is on top of laws already in force since 1 December, after Environment Minister Murray Watt struck a deal with the Greens to push EPBC Act changes through Parliament. A separate deal […]