Statement on NFF President on southern basin meetings
Last week, I led a delegation of NFF and representatives of NFF member organisations in meetings with farmer representatives and others in the southern basin communities of Griffith, Mildura and surrounds. These are communities under pressure. Under pressure from drought, from high water prices, from low general security water allocations and from uncertainty. It’s fair […]
Statement on DFAT investigation
The National Farmers’ Federation is disappointed in the deficiencies of a month-long internal investigation carried out by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade into the connections of a senior official with radical group Aussie Farms. “It is not good enough that it took a news outlet to identify the links between Dr Julie Delforce, […]
New Trade Agreements One Step Closer
The Federal Parliament today passed the enabling legislation for Australia’s free trade agreements with Indonesia, Peru and Hong Kong. The passage of this legislation means that Australia’s farmers are one step closer to reaping the benefits of these trade agreements. NFF CEO Tony Mahar said that access to international markets is critically important for Australian […]
Farmers applaud Government's plan for National Feral Pig Coordinator
Following calls for action by the National Farmers’ Federation and Australian Pork Limited, the Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie today announced that the Government would fund a new National Feral Pig Coordinator. Feral pigs are a major pest to Australia’s $60 billion agriculture industry and cause serious damage to the natural environment. NFF CEO Tony […]
Government delivers more drought support for farmers, kids, communities & rural businesses
No-interest periods on drought loans for farmers and small businesses, support for remote students and economic stimulus for regional communities are positives in the Government’s latest drought package announced today. “As summer looms the situation for many farmers and communities is becoming ever more dire,” National Farmers’ Federation President Fiona Simson said. “While rainfall last […]
Government's investment will fuel agriculture's renewable goal
The National Farmers’ Federation has a goal for Australia’s farm energy sources to be 50% renewable by 2030. NFF CEO Tony Mahar said today’s pledge by the Federal Government to inject $1 billion in new energy generation, storage and transmission would assist in achieving that goal. “While renewable energy investment continues to develop at pace, […]
Farmers seek changes to cumbersome federal environment law
The Nationals Farmers’ Federation has high hopes for a review of the core tenet of federal environment law. The release of the terms of reference and announcement of the independent panel to undertake the 10-year statutory review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 was released today. NFF CEO Tony Mahar said […]
NFF meets with PM to discuss immediate and long-term drought management
The National Farmers Federation met with Prime Minister, Scott Morrison last night to discuss both what more could be done to assist farmers and communities managing this drought and a long-term policy to guide the nation’s response to future droughts. Drought Minister David Littleproud and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack also attended the meeting. “The […]
New trade opportunities on the horizon for farmers as Labor backs FTAs
Access to new, valuable export market opportunities are a day closer for Australian farmers with the Federal Labor Party agreeing to ratify three important trade agreements. NFF President Fiona Simson said Labor’s support for the Indonesian, Hong Kong and Peru trade agreements was welcome good news for farmers, many of who were managing one of […]
Farmers call for feral pig cull
The National Farmers’ Federation has called on governments to act immediately to control Australia’s 24 million-strong feral pig population. “Feral pigs destroy crops, degrade soil and water and spread weeds. Alarmingly they also have the potential to spread endemic and exotic diseases such as African Swine Fever,” NFF Chief Executive Tony Mahar said. “Specifically, we’re […]