Meeting of the National Farmers’ Federation Horticulture Council
Ag visa During May, the NFF Members’ Council endorsed the pursuit of a visa specifically tailored to agriculture – with a working title of ‘ag visa’. The concept aims to address the acute labour shortage not only in the horticulture sector but across the broader agriculture industry. The ag visa initiative has been socialised with […]
NFF welcomes Farm Household Allowance extension
NFF President Fiona Simson said the news would be a welcomed relief to farmers battling consecutive years of drought. “Farmers in parts of Queensland, for example, have encountered up to seven years of drought. “Until today, farming families receiving assistance through the FHA program were required to transition away from the allowance after three years, […]
Australian farmers continue to excel as NFF pursues bold vision for agriculture
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has recognised the resilience, hard work and ingenuity of Australian farmers with forecasts predicting an increase in farm-gate production in 2018-19. The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Science (ABARES) Agricultural Commodities Report has agricultural production tipped to rise from $60.5 billion in 2017-18 to $61.4 billion in 2018-19. NFF […]
Australian farm produce ideally suited to the discerning European consumer
Australian agriculture is in the box-seat to benefit from a new free trade agreement with the European Union (EU). Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Trade Minister Steve Ciobo today announced that the first official talks towards the FTA would take place in Brussels at the beginning of July. NFF President Fiona Simson, who led a […]
Bush communications coalition welcomes further work on mobile blackspots
The Rural Regional and Remote Communications Coalition (RRRCC) has welcomed today’s announcement by the Regional Communications Minister, Senator Bridget McKenzie that there will be a fourth round of the Mobile Blackspots Program. “Despite initial disappointment that further funding was not available in this year’s Federal Budget, we are delighted that the Government has made this […]
Farmers call for agriculture to be at the heart of EU-Australia bi-lateral
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the official start of negotiations towards a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), as announced by the Trade Minister, Hon Steve Ciobo MP today. NFF President Fiona Simson congratulated Minister Ciobo and the Government and urged the Minister to ensure agriculture was at the heart […]
McCarthy Review charts new path forward for live sheep exports
The recommendations of the McCarthy Review are a first step on a pathway forward for Australia’s live sheep export trade. NFF President Fiona Simson said farmers, like all Australians, were distressed at the footage aired on April 8. “There is no doubt that farmers felt let down that the animals they raised with care and […]
NFF Report Card scores Federal Budget a 'B'
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has awarded the Federal Budget a B grade, awarding top marks for the Government’s investment in trade, market access and biosecurity but deducting marks for overlooking regional telecommunications. Speaking from Parliament House, NFF Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the Budget recognised agriculture’s contribution to the national economy, especially in terms […]
Basin bipartisanship provides farmers and regional communities certainty
A sigh of relief has permeated through regional communities with the news of bipartisan support for the continued implementation of key elements of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President Fiona Simson has thanked Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Hon David Littleproud MP, and Labor water spokesperson Hon Tony Burke MP, […]
Pragmatism not populism must guide decisions on live sheep exports
A delegation of producers representing Sheep Producers Austral (SPA), WAFarmers and the National Farmers Federation (NFF) are in Canberra this week to deliver one clear message to parliamentarians – fix it, don’t ban it. “We have converged on Canberra from across the country seeking a considered and meaningful response from decision makers that focuses on […]