NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall has called on the federal government to act on trade tensions with China.
The Northern Tablelands MP's also dismissed the view of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian that the political tension between the two countries wasn't impacting her state.
"We don't feel we are impacted in New South Wales at all," Ms Berejiklian told a business lunch in Sydney on Tuesday.
"We feel the relationships we have will sustain whatever issues there are at a national level."
Read Also:
Mr Marshall said it wasn't a view he shared.
"In fact, it's absolutely plain as a day that the China trade war is affecting NSW agriculture," he said.
"About 45 per cent of agricultural products in NSW that were exported last year were exported to China, making it NSW Agriculture's biggest trading partner.
"This trade war, or tariff war, is having a huge impact on our primary producers.
"Sure some products like grains, wool and other things can be stockpiled, but a lot of our beef, lamb and seafood that goes to China can't be stockpiled.
"So it is hurting those people big time."
The Northern Tablelands MP called on his federal government counterpart, David Littleproud, to do more to help solve the situation.
"I don't know what the Commonwealth Government has done to China, I'm not aware of the delicate nature of that relationship, but I must say I am pretty disappointed with the response of the Commonwealth Government so far," he said.
"In particular the [federal] agriculture minister David Littleproud.
"He has shown absolutely no interest in addressing this issue and says 'it is a matter for the trade minister'. Well it is not.
"It is hugely impacting the agricultural sector and it is not good enough to simply say oh well, the agricultural sector needs to diversify it's market and look for other places to take their produce."
The relationship between the two agriculture ministers has been strained in recent days with Mr Marshall referring to Mr Littleproud's agriculture minster's meetings as a "waste of time".
Mr Littleproud responded by saying the agenda for the national cabinet ministerial meeting was agreed to by the state Premiers and Prime Minister.
"It's embarrassing that either these Ministers didn't know this or more likely they are playing politics," he said.
"Australians expect their elected officials particularly in a time of crisis to lead them, not to act like petulant children."
Love agricultural news? Sign up for The Land's free daily newsletter.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
