Agriculture put under the spotlight in Q&A

Right to farm, climate change, water and drought are among some of the issues that have been raised at NSW Farmers’ pre-election forums being held around the state ahead of the state election.

Check out what Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair, Shadow Primary Industries Minister Mick Veitch, Greens agriculture spokesperson Justin Field and Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party member Robert Borsak have to say.

Brief outline of your ties to agriculture?

I grew up in Goulburn and studied horticulture at Hawkesbury Agriculture College. From there I completed a masters in Occupational Health and Safety where I worked in ag safety training at Leeton. I then specialised in ag safety for many farming businesses and processes including large corporate and organisations in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory. I have been Primary Industries Minister since 2015.

Where are the opportunities in primary industries in the future?

The opportunities are endless. With growing populations there is rapidly developing markets in south east Asia including Vietnam and Indonesia. We need to be more competitive through reducing inputs, with increased research and development as well as agritech. That’s why I love my portfolio is structured as it’s not just paddock to plate but paddock to port.

What do you think needs to be done in regards to climate change?

We need to continue to adapt and provide the resilience for the farming sector and continue to invest in what we can do to help farmers with climate change. First thing we need to do is acknowledge it exists. There are still people debating it but there is no time for debate. We need to get on and help farmers with tools, information and science to determine how to adapt their systems and infrastructure to what we are seeing. It’s not something that is news to most of the farmers of NSW, they have already been adapting.

What can you commit to short-term and long-term on drought policy?

We have put $1 billion on the table for programs including farm innovation fund long term and have switched off LLS rates in the short term. We have the long game and short game at the heart of Government.

What will you do to improve the situation of dairy farmers, especially around negotiating powers?

We know for too long dairy farmers have been facing significant challenges. We have announced the establishment of an Agricultural commissioner to advocate on behalf of farmers in contract negotiations. The NSW Liberals and Nationals will provide its response to the Legislative Council inquiry into the diary industry in due course. 

Do you think there should be a review of LLS and why?

No. There have been a number of reviews. The organisation is evolving and is helping farmers get through the toughest time from drought to fires and long term natural resources management across the state. They are becoming stronger.

What can candidates do to hold groups like Aussie Farms accountable?

I have written to the police commissioner, my counterparts and the attorney general asking for a clear risk assessment on the biosecurity risk this organisations poses. I have also raised it with the Federal Minister to get their charitable status removed.

What do you think needs to be done to get young people interested in agriculture?

We have improved the level of education about the sector. We need to keep telling the story about exciting opportunities from Agritech. We have invested $6 million in the young farmers program to look at different models to get them involved in the sector.We have changed a number of conditions on drought assistance packages to help them get through droughts.

What will you do to make sure school teachers are effective in teaching ag, now it's a compulsory part of the curriculum?

Curriculum standards are set and overseen by experts and we would expect that those teaching agriculture are adequately informed and resourced. I am passionate about seeing more young people learn and understand just where their food and fibre comes from. 

Brief outline of your ties to agriculture?

As a former shearer I have first-hand experience with agriculture. I was born and raised on a farm, my father was a farm labourer and shearer.  I have lived in regional NSW most of my life and raised my family in regional NSW.

Where are the opportunities in primary industries in the future?

If we get things right, a sustainable and innovative primary industries sector will help underpin the NSW economy. The export opportunities for NSW producers with the growing middle classes in Asia and the subcontinent presents tremendous opportunities, particularly for our clean and green image. This requires ongoing investment in improving the quality of our produce, as well as vigilance against the threat of biosecurity outbreaks.

What do you think needs to be done in regards to climate change?

There needs to be substantial investment in renewables. While adaption will play a role, there needs to be urgent action taken to address global warming. Innovation alone may not be enough to stop widespread destruction of habitat, and entire areas wiped out as productive land. We need to ensure science informs climate change policy settings. I do not want us failing future generations of farmers with poorly informed climate change policy.

What can you commit to short-term and long-term on drought policy?

More needs to be done urgently to address the silent face of drought – mental health. Longer term, we have to wrestle with the new realities of hotter, drier climate. We need to sit down as a nation, implement a strategy for drought reform, and ensure the document simply does not sit on the shelf as it has done under the Federal Coalition Government. Issues like farm income protection insurance also needs to be explored, and my roundtable on this encouraged me to continue to work on this possibility of dealing with risk and uncertainty on the land.

What will you do to improve the situation of dairy farmers, especially around negotiating powers?

We cannot stand by and allow fresh milk to be sold at unsustainable prices. Labor is considering the recent Upper House inquiry into the dairy industry and will have more to say before election day.

Do you think there should be a review of LLS and why?

When I travel around the state, there is widespread dissatisfaction with the LLS. It was established by this Government not as a way of improving service delivery and advice for landholders, but to cut costs. The LLS, until recently has been subject to ongoing cuts, and the Government cannot expect to be congratulated for restoring a small portion of these cuts in the lead up to the election.

Frontline staff do the best they can, but it is appalling to see head office budgets blowout while offices in the regions continue to lose staff. Labor is the only party so far that has committed to an independent root and branch review of the LLS – to assess whether it is fit for purpose, and to talk to farmers and other stakeholder on better ways to help landholders.

What can candidates do to hold groups like Aussie Farms accountable?

Multi-partisan condemnation of shocking breaches of privacy sends the strongest message to extreme elements in society.

What do you think needs to be done to get young people interested in agriculture?

In holding a roundtable with young farmers in 2017, I learnt that there are complex push and pull factors at play here in attracting and retaining young people on the land. It is not as simple as offering stamp duty concessions or finance. The Government needs to recognise that there are many pathways that can lead young people to a career on the land. Business skills and establishing a foothold in agriculture related industry are just a couple of strategies we can look at.

Also, innovation in agriculture will change the way of farming in many respects. Many farmers of the future will be wearing lab coats rather than traditional farm gear  - and we need to work with our universities and TAFEs to ensure the agricultural jobs of the future, and the knowledge and skillsets that these jobs need, are acknowledged and addressed.

What will you do to make sure school teachers are effective in teaching ag, now it's a compulsory part of the curriculum?

You will struggle to teach agriculture from a text book. We need to get more teachers to spend time in the country, spend time with farmers, the farming community, and get a better feel for life on the land, the pressures, the challenges, as well as the opportunities and simply joys of country life.

Brief outline of your ties to agriculture?

Since the very first time the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party have had a member in Parliament, since 1995, we have always advocated strongly on behalf of the farming community in NSW.

Under the previous Labor government, who held office for 16 continuous years, the party worked closely with the NSW Farmers Federation, on behalf of the farming communities. Likewise, under this current government for the past eight years, and in particular the first four years, the Shooter Fishers and Farmers Party worked closely on a number of issues. 

The SFF have continued to advocate on many issues directly relating to farmers. Our office is inundated with issues and problems facing these communities on a daily basis. 

Where are the opportunities in primary industries in the future?

NSW has unlimited farming industry opportunities. The SFF believe that if we have two or three major distribution hubs throughout NSW, linked by freight, rail and commercial airfields along with a reduction in red tape when transporting locally and ensuring the government invest a massive amount into infrastructure to export globally, our agricultural and farming sectors would thrive. The SFF are prepared to work with whichever party is prepared to accommodate this outcome.

What do you think needs to be done in regards to climate change?

As a party the SFF believes that the farming and agricultural sector need to constantly innovate to combat the changing weather patterns of Australia. Long term solutions for our resources, such as water, need to be better managed. The onus is on the government of the day they need to provide the funding or subsidies for projects that could deliver better managed and more efficient outcomes.

What can you commit to short-term and long-term on drought policy?

The SFF are proud that we were the first to advocate for immediate relief and freight subsidies for drought effected farmers. Our position on this in Parliament and in the media was relentless, which at the end of the day forced the Government to provide some sort of assistance. The Government assistance provided short-term relief, but did not address long-term solutions.

As a starting point the SFF believes, that long-term, drought should be classified as a natural disaster. The SFF will hold the balance of power in at least one or two of the chambers of Parliament and we will be moving as a matter of priority, irrespective of who holds government, that drought is legislated as a natural disaster and immediate funds are released.

What will you do to improve the situation of dairy farmers, especially around negotiating powers?

It is an absolute disgrace that State and Federal Governments here in Australia could allow a situation where Australian milk is two to three times more expensive to buy in a shop in China, then it is in a supermarket here in Australia.

SFF believes the government needs to intervene or put a mechanism in place that empowers milk producers to collectively negotiate better prices.

The SFF would also support the establishment of a stand-alone commissioner for the dairy market or any other position with delegated powers that would have the interest of the industry at heart,

Do you think there should be a review of LLS and why?

While the Local Land Services is an important government body that is supposed to deliver quality, customer-focused services to farmers, landholders and the community, the SFF believes that better management practices could be put in place. Our party feels that the LLS requires additional funds and an overview of the management practices and subsequent policy guidelines. The SFF also believes that the LLS must work closely and collaboratively with the DPI.

What can candidates do to hold groups like Aussie Farms accountable?

For the SFF that is a very simple proposition. The SFF will be introducing a right to farm Bill into the next Parliament as a matter of urgency, and irrespective of which major party wins Government we believe we will hold the balance of power and get the outcome that farmers have been demanding.

What do you think needs to be done to get young people interested in agriculture?

The SFF believes this needs to be done at a school age. If young people can see there is a future in agriculture that is rewarding, they will invest their future in it. Farm based work experience, excursions to farming communities, abattoirs, dairy farms and fresh food processing centres should be encouraged and if need be subsidised by the government.

What will you do to make sure school teachers are effective in teaching ag, now it's a compulsory part of the curriculum?

Teachers need to ensure that students are getting hands-on experience about farms and farming. There should be a balance of theoretical and practical learning for farming and agriculture. Farmers need to be engaged as primary teaching resources and it needs to be continued from primary through high school aged students, covering the importance of not just cropping but animal husbandry and all aspects of agriculture, it’s importance to regional communities and indeed the vital support it gives for the survival of Sydney.

Brief outline of your ties to agriculture?

I grew up in the sugar cane district of the Wide Bay in Queensland and later on a pawpaw and mango farm in Central Queensland. This property was compulsorily acquired by the State Government, as was much of the farming district, to make way for the shale oil industry that never went ahead. One of my reasons for getting involved in politics was my experience of seeing the destruction of the environment and agricultural land and communities at the hands of unsustainable resources development. 

Where are the opportunities in primary industries in the future?

The domestic and global demand for high quality food and fibre is only going to grow. At the same time, consumers are becoming more interested in where their food is coming from and how it is being grown. This creates opportunities to meet growing demand but also to adapt to these new consumer expectations. 

But many of the opportunities in primary industries are going to be driven by need to manage a changing climate. New technology and production methods, new crops, water and input efficiencies will be necessary to adapt to changing climate patterns. This makes resourcing research and development absolutely critical for the future of the sector. One of those areas of R&D that the Greens see as critically important is adapting regenerative agriculture practices to different production types and scale. A more regenerative approach offers a win win in terms of reducing chemical inputs, improving soil quality and carbon and water efficiency on farm as well as being more conducive to ecological biodiversity within farming communities.  

What do you think needs to be done in regards to climate change?

The only way to reduce the risks of dangerous climate change are to rapidly reduce carbon emissions and to sequester carbon already in the atmosphere. That means phasing out coal and other fossil fuel mining and burning as quickly as possible. The Greens have a policy of phasing out coal mining in 10 years and a plan to reach net zero emissions by 2040. 

It also means stopping native forest logging and broad-scale tree clearing. There are significant opportunities for people on the land from programs to sequester carbon in regrown forests, protected grasslands and as soil carbon, as well as new revenue streams from renewable energy. Ensuring the benefits and costs are fairly shared within communities is critical, as is not allowing agricultural land to be lost to energy projects.   

What can you commit to short-term and long-term on drought policy?

The Greens have supported the drought packages announced by the Government, but there is a need for a longer-term plan as the impact of climate change will make some farming operations more and more marginal. 

Engaging farmers in carbon sequestration project through environmental protection on farm, increasing soil carbon and managing pests can provide additional revenue streams to support farms through drought periods. Regional renewable energy hubs will also support the future viability of regional towns maintaining a critical mass of families and workers in regional areas which provides a support to farming districts. One of the best ways to ensure there are financial resources to make these investments in through a carbon price and that needs to be put back on the table in State and Commonwealth discussion.   

What will you do to improve the situation of dairy farmers, especially around negotiating powers?

The Greens want to see a viable dairy industry in NSW. I live in the large dairy district in NSW in the Shoalhaven and have seen first hand the consequences of milk pricing on local businesses. This is made even worse when farm input costs go up suddenly like it has in the drought. 

The supermarkets shouldn't be allow to use this essential product as a loss leader. It is market manipulation with real world and long-term consequences. There are legislative and regulatory tools available to Government and we're committed to working with whoever is in Government and the industry to ensure there is a viable and sustainable sector that can support local jobs and guarantee a local supply of fresh milk.   

Do you think there should be a review of LLS and why?

The Greens support a review of LLS. The changing environmental circumstance impacting farming and in particular the consequences of the drought and changes to regulations impacting on farm environments have no doubt put a lot of pressure on a service that already seems to be struggling with the work load. If makes sense to look critically about how the LLS structure is working in this context and looking at what can be done to ensure it can meeting the needs of farmers now and into the future.   

What can candidates do to hold groups like Aussie Farms accountable?

I don't support the publication of farmer details online by the Aussie Farms group and I can understand arguments made by farming groups to review the group's charitable status. The suggestion is that those named are somehow doing the wrong thing and that is not right or fair and I know most farmers work to ensure the wellbeing of their animals. 

Regardless of the tactics of this group and others though, there is a growing awareness within the community of animal welfare issues on farms and community expectations about animal welfare standards are changing. It makes sense for the agricultural sector to be ahead of community expectations, communicating their positive message and ensuring transparency where it is possible. 

What do you think needs to be done to get young people interested in agriculture? What will you do to make sure school teachers are effective in teaching ag, now it's a compulsory part of the curriculum?

By introducing agriculture into the compulsory school curriculum we are starting on the journey of growing the next generation of farmers. It will take some time to build the skills base within the teaching profession to ensure agricultural education is effective in schools but there are opportunities to link up local producers with schools to ensure the learning experience of young people is grounded in the real world experience of farmers. 

For young people trying to enter into agricultural businesses capital is the biggest challenge. Currently substantial Government subsidies go to supporting investors in residential housing. As a society we would be better directing more of that to supporting entry into farming businesses. The cost of land is always going to be a big hurdle. This is made much worse by quality agricultural land being lost to urban, commercial and mining development. These areas need to be protected under planning law from food and fibre production. Supporting land leasing for farm start-ups can also make a big difference to get people started in agriculture but many non-farming landholders may not know how to start that process and would be greatly assisted through a dedicated program to link those interested in agriculture with willing land holders.