Farmers fear impacts of Federal ‘ute tax’
Australia’s peak farm body has today called for amendments to proposed vehicle emissions standards – warning the Government’s preferred policy could lump farmers with impacts such as price increases. NFF President David Jochinke said farmers could be penalised for not having low emissions vehicle options available. “We’re working hard as a sector to lower our […]
NFF submission to new vehicle efficiency standards
The NFF supports efforts to address climate change and pollution, including through strategies to make cars more fuel-efficient. However, the introduction of vehicle efficiency standards must consider any impacts on Australia’s agriculture sector and the productivity of farm businesses. Read the full submission here.
NFF calls on Canberra to turn around agriculture’s productivity slump
Today’s ABARES Snapshot of Australian Agriculture shows how the farm sector has positioned itself as a powerhouse in the nation’s economy, but alarm bells are ringing over the already slowing productivity rate which is only predicted to worsen. The report shows the gross value of agricultural production has increased by about 51% in the past […]
Supermarket inquiry announces dates to hear horror stories
The Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices has announced an initial set of dates to hear stories about bad behaviour by supermarkets. The first round of hearings will be in Hobart this Thursday 7 March, then Orange on 12 March and Melbourne at Tullamarine on 13 March. Further dates may be announced at the discretion of […]
Food and Grocery Code Review
It is the NFF’s view that supermarkets and retailers can use their substantial market power to the detriment of farmers through lower prices, unfair risk burden and longer-term uncertainty that places significant pressure on individual farm businesses. The Food and Grocery Code in its current form fails to enforce a minimum standard of behaviour between […]
NFF leadership in WA to highlight concerns of local producers
Leaders of Australia’s peak farm body are in Western Australia this week, hearing concerns from local farmers about the impact of Federal Government policies. President of the National Farmers’ Federation David Jochinke said policies currently being rolled out from Canberra were putting farm productivity at risk. “Whether it’s the disastrous live sheep ban, the biosecurity […]
Senate Inquiry into Supermarket Prices
Agriculture relies upon open and transparent marketplaces that promote competition within agricultural supply chains, enabling farmers to access requisite inputs and sell their produce at a competitive price. The Australian agricultural supply chain has an uneven distribution of market concentration which threatens the economic conditions essential for dynamic, productive and profitable farms. While food and […]
Holes in supermarket defences already exposed
Statement by Jolyon Burnett, Chair of the NFF Horticulture Council Within a day of supermarkets lodging their submissions to the Senate inquiry established to review their own pricing practices, it’s clear their defences rely more on deflection than fact. It’s telling that their only evidence to support their claim that it’s supplier costs that have […]
Statement on ACCC supermarket inquiry
Comments attributable to NFF President, David Jochinke We welcome the announcement today of an ACCC probe into the supermarkets. This is good news for farmers who have long called for greater transparency from the big retailers. It’s appropriate the ACCC lead this inquiry, using its powers to compel information to form a clear picture of […]
Cost of living relief must start at the farm gate
Australia’s peak farm body is urging the Federal Government to put its agricultural policies under the microscope as it prioritises cost of living relief for Australians. NFF President David Jochinke warned a range of policy pressures on farmers were risking production and could fuel price inflation at the supermarket checkout. “We’ve seen this government ignore […]