Comments attributable to NFF President Hamish McIntyre
The National Farmers’ Federation is concerned the proposed changes to Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) export cost recovery arrangements announced in yesterday’s mid-year economic forecast, may hurt the competitiveness of agricultural exports and producers.
Australian agriculture exports 80% of the food and fibre it produces, so any hit to our international competitiveness across the value chains has a direct impact on the sector’s productivity. This trade delivers public good not just into regional communities, but to the entire nation.
It is imperative that the principles of equity and fairness are embedded into cost recovery frameworks both for the entire sector, and between agricultural industries. The costs of any changes, proposed to roll out over the course of the next three years, will most likely be passed onto producers.
While export regulatory activities are essential to facilitate trade, supply chain participants report that export service functions are often inefficient, complex and cumbersome to comply with and have not adopted contemporary regulatory technology.
NFF members have also raised concerns about export cost recovery frameworks being used to support the broader departmental cost base.
The Department must improve the underlying efficiency and effectiveness of export services it intends to fully cost recover from industry, ensuring they are fit for purpose.
Meaningful and responsive consultation will be of the utmost importance as the proposed changes are implemented.
Ashleigh Whittaker
Stacey Davidson