Higher Education Review: Submission

The NFF’s 15 June 2008 submission to the Australian Government’s Higher Education Review notes a major challenge in attracting and retaining people in agriculture-related careers and academic disciplines to replace the present number of baby-boomers nearing retirement.

Review of Export Policies and Programs: Submission

The NFF’s June 2008 submission to the Government’s trade review renews the call for global trade reform. Agriculture remains the most distorted area of international goods trade globally, with average tariffs more than three times higher than in non-agricultural goods.

Murray-Darling Basin Inter-Governmental Agreement: Submission

The NFF’s 4 June 2008 submission to the Council of Australian Government Murray-Darling Basin Water Reform Intergovernmental Agreement outlines the views of farmers and irrigators to the proposed concurrent legislation, consultation, Basin Community Committee, inclusion of on-farm projects and purchase of water from willing sellers.

Quarantine and Biosecurity Review: Submission

The NFF’s May 2008 submission to the Quarantine and Biosecurity Review highlights failures in proactively protecting Australia’s shores from pests and diseases. It asserts that transparent, science-based quarantine and biosecurity that protects Australia’s environment, biodiversity and agricultural systems is vital.

Skilling Australia for the Future: Submission

The NFF’s May 2008 submission to the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations underscores farming’s increasing needs for skills, training and capacity – with particular emphasis on the difficulties of training provision in rural and regional Australia.

Garnaut Emissions Trading Scheme Discussion Paper: Submission

The NFF’s April 2008 Submission to the Garnaut Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Discussion Paper highlights the need for voluntary, incentivised transitional mechanisms. While ‘impractical’ for agriculture to be covered within an ETS, the NFF reinforces the importance of avoiding perverse outcomes for food production.

Chemicals and Plastics Regulation Draft Report: Submission

The NFF’s April 2008 submission offers a realistic way forward for reducing the chronic over-regulation of the chemicals and plastics sector, which has had an unjustifiable cost-impost on agriculture and undermined risk-management principles by creating confusion about compliance and jurisdictional authority.