If there's one thing that can dig us out of this COVID-induced economic hole it's agriculture, and NSW Farmers is hoping the change in leadership here in New South Wales will provide an opportunity to set fresh priorities, as well as reinforce longer-term ones for the state farming sector.
We can see several opportunities for collaboration between government and industry, but the most urgent one is the imminent harvest. The grains and horticulture sectors will be a focus over coming months, and a disappointing reversal on last week's scrapped quarantine announcement underscores the importance of all levels of government keeping their eyes on the bigger picture.
Harvest will not wait for the political winds of change, and we need to act now if we are to avoid lost income and opportunity.
Another immediate priority for the NSW Government is to bed down the state's approach to animal welfare with a framework that is based in science and objective health measures.
Land use and management laws will be increasingly important over coming decades, and while farmers already play a critical role in meeting carbon obligations, the net zero goal is not the only one we need to care about. With global population tipped to break 8 billion by 2030, food security will be a big issue, and the protection of productive agricultural land will be vital.
We believe the Agriculture Commissioner needs to become a statutory authority to involve agriculture in important land use decisions, especially with the energy transition already underway. Farmers need their voice heard on land management, and we need a framework that delivers a balanced approach to managing native vegetation on private farmland.
Growing agriculture means biosecurity and research and development need to be front-of-mind as we look to grow to a $30 billion industry by 2030. This also opens the door to more regional jobs - a must if we are to grow the vibrancy of our communities.
- James Jackson, NSW Farmers president
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