The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has been rocked by the premature passing of Rick Farley, aged just 53.
As Executive Director Mr Farley led the NFF from 1988 to 1995.
This was a revolutionary time for the organisation, where Mr Farley’s contribution saw the NFF and the Australian Conservation Foundation jointly lobby the Hawke Government to implement the national land management program Landcare in 1989.
It was also an era in which the NFF championed trade liberalisation, including leading a 3,000 strong farmer rally at Parliament House in Canberra to protest US agricultural export subsidies during US President George Bush Snr’s visit in 1992.
NFF also launched its forward-looking ‘New Horizons’ blueprint policy platform in 1993, and embarked on the successful expansion of the one billion trees program in 1994.
It is a fitting tribute to Mr Farley’s forward thinking that those key issues of environmental sustainability and trade reform – bringing down international barriers for Australian farmers, remain cornerstone of NFF’s policy and advocacy focus today.
NFF conveys its deepest sympathies to Mr Farley’s family.
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