Australia’s sustainability livestock story shared on the global stage

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has this week closely watched the developments at the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock, where Australia’s sustainability message was highlighted. The NFF acknowledges the FAO for supporting global dialogue on the future of the livestock sector that is grounded in science and evidence-based discussion. This […]

NFF submission to AEMC on draft rule on community engagement

The management of Australia’s transition to renewable energy has significant implications for Australian agriculture. The NFF seeks to ensure that transmission projects are placed in the landscape with proper, timely consultation, appropriate compensation or commercial consent and do not adversely impact existing land use. Read the full submission here.

Farmers call out misinformation on Basin Bill

Farming groups have come together in Canberra today to call out the misinformation peddled in Parliament this week regarding the Government’s rewrite of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. National Farmers’ Federation Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the fact the Government felt the need to stretch the truth just revealed how flawed the proposal is. “We’ve seen […]

World-first research suggests natural capital impacts farm performance

Australian research project, Farming for the Future releases preliminary findings In a study of global significance and at a scale never previously undertaken, Phase 2 of the Farming for the Future research program has collected financial, ecological and social data from 130 Australian grazing and cropping enterprises, the preliminary results of which were unveiled today […]

Water Bill a recipe for hurt, division and higher food prices

Farmers are warning that a bill introduced today by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek would obliterate consensus on the Basin Plan and give the Government unchecked power to shut down irrigation farms in Australia’s food bowl. NFF Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the proposal would blow up the Basin Plan and destroy trust and livelihoods in Basin […]

The consultation on the new National Drought Agreement

The NFF and the Australian Government are strongly aligned in the goal to ensure that farmers and regional communities across the country are efficiently and effectively supported before, during and after drought events to minimise triple bottom line impacts. The drought policy space is increasingly complex. It is excellent to see the new agreement clarify […]

Devastating scale of water buybacks revealed while critical questions go unanswered

The Federal Government has inadvertently revealed that damaging water buybacks will make up at least a third of water recovery under its revised Murray Darling Basin Plan, at a starting price exceeding $3 billion.  The startling revelation that government buyback spending could double under this proposal comes as serious questions emerge about how the Government […]

Government hits self-destruct button on Basin unity

Farmers have responded with dismay at the Government’s decision to reach prematurely for water buybacks, before alternative options have been considered. National Farmers’ Federation President, Fiona Simson, said today’s announcement to deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in full with buybacks squarely on the agenda would be met with disbelief given the Government’s recent consultation. “Just a few […]

Delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan

The NFF favours the implementation of a Plan, that gives equal weight to environmental, social, and economic outcomes. The NFF believes that there are several improvements which need to be made to make it fairer and more workable. Read full submission here.

LEAN agenda would drag Labor to the fringe – costing jobs and fuelling inflation

Australia’s peak farm body has called on delegates at the ALP National Conference this week to vote down a radical anti-farming motion backed by the Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN). Farmers say the “Climate, Clearing and Cows” motion, which calls for methane emissions to be halved in the next 6.5 years, is misinformed and in conflict […]