Farmers can now register direct with the NFF
THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has created a new online facility so Australian farmers can register directly with the peak national body and be kept up-to-date on NFF activity. “We are extremely keen to ensure that NFF has strong communication links to farmers so we can demonstrate the tangible value of the work we do […]
Apply ‘food crisis blowtorch’ to leaders at Doha talks
PRESSURE must be put on world leaders to actually do something about the global food crisis, which has seen riots in poorer countries going without food, and huge price hikes in affluent countries, like Australia,” National Farmers Federation (NFF) President David Crombie said ahead of his trade mission to Geneva this week to re-ignite World […]
Green Paper poses a prudent way forward
“TODAY the Australian Government’s preferred Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) recognises the unique complexities that impede agriculture’s coverage at this time,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie said. “We are pleased the Government has not moved to impose an arbitrary date for covering agriculture, but instead identified a target date of 2015 – pending […]
Markets hold their breath for Australia’s climate change response
AS the Westpac-NFF Commodity Index regularly demonstrates, global markets are extremely sensitive given the delicate balance of supply and demand, especially for agricultural goods. Climate change and responses to it – including an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) – should consider the potential impact on global international food and fibre prices. “Be it floods in Iowa, […]
Arbitrary ETS date a ‘no go’ for agriculture
SPECULATION that the Australian Government may be poised to suggest an arbitrary date for agriculture’s inclusion under an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in Wednesday’s Green Paper – despite being unable to measure, monitor or verify the sector’s true emissions profile – greatly concerns the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF). “It’s news to us,” NFF President David […]
Tread warily into ETS minefield: Australian priorities must come first, say farmers
EVEN though agriculture cannot be covered by an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the Australian Government must take steps to ensure consumers can still afford basic food items as substantial price hikes become ‘the norm’, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) warned today. “Any ETS will cause pain to businesses and households… people are slowly coming to […]
Pay hike another drain on a strained economy
THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is dismayed by today’s Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC) decision to increase minimum and award rates of pay by $21.66 per week, effective from 1 October 2008. “The AFPC’s decision is a concerning tact given the current economic climate,” NFF President David Crombie said. “The NFF had sought an increase […]
We know the climate risks, now for solutions: farmers
“THE Garnaut Report and, now, the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) have reinforced what we already knew… there are threats to Australia’s agricultural production due to climate risks,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie said today. “Farmers have long known the risks and have continually stressed the need to proactively adapt and mitigate […]
Kyoto rules must change if farmers are to contribute
THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling on the Australian Government to actively petition for new accounting rules under the Kyoto Protocol to ensure agriculture’s sequestration of carbon is acknowledged. “The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties’ examination of the rules under the new Kyoto Protocol, and how they affect Australia, is timely,” NFF President David […]
High Aussie dollar dampening record global prices
DESPITE global agricultural commodities at record prices – as the latest Westpac-NFF Commodity Index reveals prices 16% higher than a year ago – Australian farmers are beset by soaring farm input costs, persistent drought, labour shortages and a dollar that keeps climbing. Westpac’s Senior Agribusiness Economist, Justin Smirk said with Australian farmers exporting 61% of […]