THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) regrets to advise that Federal Water Minister Penny Wong and her shadow, Senator Barnaby Joyce, have elected to withdraw from a major debate on water policy at the NFF’s 2010 National Congress in Melbourne next Tuesday. “Both politicians h... more

18 August 2010 “THERE will be no new investments or priorities for Australia’s $137 billion-a-year farm sector under a Gillard Government,” is National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie’s assessment of the Government’s Agricultural Policy relea... more

11 August 2010 “TODAY’S announcement by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott of an extra $300 million for on-farm works is a positive new investment in water-saving infrastructure in the Murray-Darling Basin,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie declared. ... more

10 August 2010 THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) welcomes today’s announcement by Prime Minister Julia Gillard that, if re-elected, the Government will invest new money to close any gap between the current water cap and any new water cap in the Murray-Darling Basin. “Obvi... more

THE Coalition’s Agriculture Policy, released today, embraces major initiatives driven by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) to resurrect Australia’s flagging investment in essential productivity-based research and development (R&D) for agriculture and seizes upon practic... more

INDEPENDENT analysis released today by Judith Stubbs and Associates shows cuts to water entitlements in the Murray-Darling Basin will potentially lead to massive job losses and, subsequently, decimate regional communities. “It is ironic that while politicians talk about over population in ... more

IN A double windfall for farmers the Coalition has committed to pursuing comprehensive trade agreements – reaffirming agriculture as a central pillar in all negotiations – and returning to a dedicated, stand-alone federal trade minister who has a seat in Cabinet. “Some have sug... more

WHOEVER wins the federal election on August 21, the National Farmers’ Federation’s (NFF’s) 2010 National Congress in Melbourne over 6-7 September will place attendees ringside as political heavyweights slug it out over agriculture and the major issues affecting the farm sector. ... more

The Federal Government’s announcement to establish a working group to advise the Government on a strategic policy framework for Australia’s food industry has been welcomed by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) and National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) today. Federal Ag... more

“BUILDING community consensus around climate change action is a reasonable proposition,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie observed of the Prime Minister’s Citizens’ Assembly announcement today. “But it will be absolutely critical regi... more

LIKE Billy Connolly’s famous stand-up bit, tomorrow’s consumers will want ‘more of this, less of that, most of the other and a shipload more of that’. But they will also be more discerning. Emerging trends see consumers increasingly invested in the production values of the... more

WHAT exactly is a sustainable Australia? Yesterday Prime Minister Julia Gillard picked up on the National Farmers’ Federations (NFF’s) 2010 Federal Election Policy Platform, specifically the peak farm body’s population issues. Ms Gillard’s speech to the Eidos Institute no... more

RECOMMENDATIONS in a draft review of bilateral and regional Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), released today by the Productivity Commission (PC), would lower the threshold for Australian trade negotiations and carve out our precious farm exports, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) warned. ... more

LAUNCHING its 2010 Federal Election Policy Platform today, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) slammed both sides of politics for perpetuating old mistakes and failing to seize initiatives to tackle emerging national issues – laying down the challenges and opportunities ahead. The... more

“IMPROVING access to overseas markets can be a slow and tortuous process, but Australian cattle producers are finally seeing rewards for their patience,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie declared on the announcement by the European Union (EU) that Austr... more

The deadline for applications for the 2010 Greenham Dairy Scholarship is approaching fast. This annual award provides a motivating opportunity for students across a broad age range to apply for $10,000 to help them undertake formal study or a recognised training program within the dairy industry ... more

TODAY marks the launch of the ‘International Year of Biodiversity’. Biodiversity is of critical interest to farmers – since biodiversity and agriculture are interdependent and both are pivotal in addressing looming climate change and food security pressures. The National Farmer... more

THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling on the Rudd Government to respond favourably to the Coalition’s proposed agriculture amendments, saying they make economic and environmental sense for the country, not just farmers. “Let’s be clear, the objective is to red... more

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association today announced a new task force that will examine marketing issues for Tasmanian agricultural products, including areas of anti-competitive practices. TFGA chief executive Chris Oldfield said the task force, to be chaired by farmer/activist David B... more

Too often farmers take risks when operating equipment or using chemicals on their property and within their communities. Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers feel that this issue needs to be actively addressed. The Rural Safety Awareness Council (RSAC) is a joint initiative of the TFGA and Partners. ... more