13 March 2014

The Federal Taskforce on Agricultural Competitiveness has met in Goulburn to hear farmers’ concerns about agricultural productivity and processes.

Farmers from Yass, Goulburn, Braidwood and the south coast held one on one meetings with the taskforce after a morning roundtable.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor, who joined the roundtable, said there were concerns raised about price squeezes on farmers, impacts of regulation on farm profitability, loss of agricultural land to other uses including mining, quarries, wind farms and urban creep. Calls were also made for more transparent planning of drought policy and for the opening up of new markets.

“It was fantastic to have a cross section of people there who are working in agriculture. We got the issues out on the table,” Mr Taylor said.

“Of course there are many hard working farmers who didn’t have the time to come to Goulburn. By booking my own time with the taskforce, I wanted to make sure their voices were heard as well - on issues like better market access, making sure the dollars in the end markets are getting through to the farm gate and how we achieve that.

“There is no question in my mind that the next two years will be pivotal to agriculture policy in this country. We won’t see changes as big as we’re about to see in policy for a long time to come. It will be a watershed,” he said.

Mr Taylor encouraged anyone who still wanted to have their say - but was unable to meet with the taskforce - to put something in writing.

To make a submission to the Government’s White Paper on Agricultural Competitiveness visit www.agriculturalcompetitiveness.dpmc.gov.au. Submissions are due by 5pm, 17 April 2014.

Caption: Hume district farmers meeting in Goulburn today with the Federal Government’s Taskforce on Agricultural Competitiveness.