Farming

The state’s leading agricultural organisation is calling on the federal government to repay billions owed to farmers. Costly emissions reduction action taken by farmers to help Australia meet its Kyoto commitments resulted in a surplus of 431 million tonnes of carbon captured – worth more than $30 billion* today. NSW Farmers President James Jackson said the balance sheet must be squared before the federal government signs up to any deals at Glasgow.

National Farmers Federation President Fiona Simson says while Australian farmers continue to lead the world in improved sustainability and emissions reduction it is time to address the inequities of the past. "Farmers have been at the forefront of Australia’s efforts to meet climate change targets for decades, although not always knowingly." Ms Simson said in the 1990s and early 2000s, Queensland and NSW farmers were victims of land clearing legislation that removed their property rights, without compensation.

Almost 500 foreign workers will be added to NSW's agricultural workforce, joining the more than 2,000 whose arrival the NSW Government has already aided, to provide additional support to industry through the COVID-exacerbated labour shortage. Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said while this would be welcome news for the state’s farmers, the NSW Government was constantly reviewing its support measures to give industry the best help it can, and that continued today.

After five years of advocacy by the NFF, an Agriculture Visa is one step closer to becoming a reality with the Governor General signing the legislation into law. NFF Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the milestone represented a new chapter in Australia’s approach to addressing agriculture’s workforce shortages.

NSW Farmers has called for the clear protection of agricultural land as the state moves to slash emissions by 2030. While moves to increase private sector investment, grow the economy and lower power prices were welcomed, NSW Farmers Vice President Xavier Martin said the protection of prime agricultural land had to be a fundamental part of the plan. “As they say, they’re not making any more dirt, and we need to ensure that prime agricultural land is protected because once you dig it up or pave over it, it’s gone forever ... We remain concerned about regional renewable energy zones – there is clearly scope for this sort of infrastructure, but we must ensure it does not displace food and fibre from quality land."

With 50-100mm of rainfall forecast across the southern basin in the next few days and dams already full to overflowing, water allocators need to start thinking outside their conservative box. "The agriculture sector has continued to power Australia’s economy during these difficult times. The resilience of the regions is showing strongly. Now is the time for regulators to be as supportive as they can," NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.