The Council develops policy positions on common issues of national importance to the horticulture industry such as trade, workforce, biosecurity, farm business, climate change and sustainability, markets and competition, R&D, telecommunications and infrastructure.
With a broad remit, the Council is focused in particular on these core priorities on behalf of the industry:
The Council is a member of the NFF, free to establish and advance its own policy positions and responses issues impacting the horticulture industry.
The Horticulture Council is calling on all levels of government and supply chain partners to commit to an urgent review of the burden of compliance being carried by business.
The Council will be drafting a discussion paper, with the results of its National Horticulture Compliance Survey 2025 as the foundation, to engage a wider audience in deliberation of those core issues and challenges to creating a more balanced and streamlined compliance environment that require collective action.
The Council is developing policy position statements on issues of importance to the national horticulture industry. Policy statements provide clarity and help ensure all members are aligned and stakeholders understand the Council’s priorities and principles.
The Council supports increasing public and private investment to better position the national horticulture industry for adaption in response to the risks of a changing climate.
The Council supports a regime of Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (CRFD) that enables business managers, owners, directors and investors the ability to better assess and respond to climate risks and opportunities, without creating any undue or burdensome administrative and reporting requirements.
The Council supports the introduction of a single model of labour hire licencing nationally, displacing existing state-based schemes and applying consistently across all jurisdictions, without exception.
The Council strongly supports the development and implementation of a well-designed Australian Agriculture Visa that meets the needs of the national horticulture industry.
The Council strongly opposes the planned changes that would require Approved Employers to guarantee 30 hours of work each and every week, and instead calls for a return to averaging over the course of a placement.
The Council considers compliance and regulation a last resort, promotes industry self-regulation wherever possible, but does acknowledge the important role regulation and compliance can play, where necessary, in maintaining and building public confidence and trust in the industry.
The Council advocates for a series of principles and practices to be applied by all parties engaged storing, controlling and processing of data associated with the national horticulture industry.
The Council regularly engages with, and makes submissions in response to, a wide range of consultation and review processes of government and its agencies on policy areas of priority for the national horticulture industry.
The Council response (April 2025) to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) Draft Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030.
The Council response (October 2025) to consultation by the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on the development of Feeding Australia, a new national food security strategy.
The Council response (October 2025) to a call from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for input into their consideration of new class exemptions under the Competition and Consumer Act.
The Council submission (September 2025) in response to Federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations review into the impact of PALM Deed and Guidelines – Phase Two.
The National Horticulture Roadshow has successfully concluded, delivering a series of high-impact events across Australia between August 2024 and October 2025. Funded by the Australian Government through the Showcasing Australian Horticulture grant program, the Roadshow brought together growers and stakeholders from across the fresh produce supply chain to share knowledge, showcase innovation, and strengthen industry capability.
With more than 3,800 attendees participating in events nationwide—many in regional locations—the Roadshow provided practical insights, cutting-edge technologies, and collaborative opportunities to help the horticulture sector become more sustainable, resilient, and competitive. Activities included conferences, field days, workshops, and expos, all designed to drive productivity and foster connections across the industry.
The NFF, together with the NFF Horticulture Council, is now reviewing the Roadshow with the aim of securing support to continue its delivery.
For general or media enquiries please contact either Richard Shannon, Executive Officer to the Council or Jolyon Burnett, Council Chair.
Jolyon Burnett
Chair
(e): jolyon@ozemail.com.au
Richard Shannon
Executive Officer
(e): hortcouncil@nff.org.au
(m): 0448 860 630
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