Egg industry disappointed by Federal cage phase-out recommendation
New Federal guidelines have recommended the phase-out of conventional cages in Australia by 2036, along with new requirements for nest areas, access to perches or platforms and scratch areas. While egg farmers support improved welfare standards, the pace of the phase-out goes against industry advice.
Ag input into Jobs Summit agenda
With the Jobs and Skills Summit around the corner, agricultural representatives are pushing the government on alternatives to the Ag Visa at Minister-led regional roundtables. The Government has also released an Issues Paper outlining themes for the Summit, which will funnel into the White Paper on Employment.
Awards highlight food and fibre leaders
A focus on research has seen Nick Gillingham from Sundown Pastoral Co’s “Keytah” property in NSW take out Bayer Cotton Grower of the Year, while the AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year has gone to the NT’s biggest cotton grower, Tipperary Station’s Bruce Connolly. In the rice industry, Wakool fourth-generation rice growers Brooke and Neville Hollins have taken out the top honour.
Community has faith in farmers, but wants to learn more
Australians believe farmers, fishers and foresters are willing to change in response to community concerns, according to the Community Trust in Rural Industries Year 3 survey of more than 19,000 people. The research also revealed the growing issues for the community are chemical use, animal welfare, confidence in regulation and public knowledge about the challenges rural industries face.
Another survey recently done by data science company Voconiq backs up that Australians trust their producers.
The results of the national survey highlight a continuation of community trust in the farming, fisheries and forestry sectors as well as increased support that these industries are willing to change in response to public concerns.
The survey captured the views of more than 19,000 Australians as part of the survey on a wide range of topics and issues related to rural industries, focusing on the drivers and influences of trust over the past three years.
AgriFutures Australia Managing Director John Harvey said the results show there is an opportunity for rural industries to be proactive, collaborating to build on the strong trust and acceptance that currently exists.
Key insights from the Year Three National Survey include:
• Australians not only value rural industries but understand that regional community strength and resilience is fundamental to their success.
• 88% of community members agreed that rural industries are important to our way of life.
• Rural industries are seen as strong drivers of employment in regional areas, with 82.6% of participants agreeing they generate significant local jobs in regional areas.
• 80% of Australians see fishers, farmers and foresters as responsible stewards of the land and sea, and believe environmental management is a shared responsibility amongst all rural industries.
Condamine River farmers raise concerns with the GasFields Commission
Landholders in areas of intensively farmed land on the Condamine River floodplain have raised concerns with the GasFields Commission about what legislative protections are available should CSG-induced subsidence have a financial impact on their business. GFC are reviewing the regulatory framework with a view to identifying potential enhancements relating to subsidence.
