The Federal Government must fulfil its pre-election promise to provide sustainable, long-term funding for biosecurity in the Budget set to be announced on 25 October, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) said.
The 43 recommendations in the NFF’s Pre-Budget Submission, according to NFF President Fiona Simson, were developed around the organisation’s 2030 Roadmap. She added a top priority was to fill the gap in Australia’s defence against impending and current biosecurity threats like Foot and Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease, and Varroa Mite.
“This was a pre-election commitment, and the National Biosecurity Strategy has delivered the vision and the framework to resource our biosecurity system now and into the future,” Simson stated.
According to Simson, recent discussions between the NFF and the Federal Government about biosecurity funding have been positive, and the Budget is the time to follow through.
Simson, who recently returned from the Jobs and Skills Summit, claimed that although the national leaders had been made aware of the worker crisis in agriculture, more needed to be done.
“There are about 85,000 farm businesses in Australia, and a most of them are run by families who are under increasing pressure for want of workers. It’s a problem choking production, which is being felt from the paddock right through the supply chain, and ultimately Australians are paying more at the checkout,” Simson added.
She said the NFF’s submission includes workable solutions, such as expanding training opportunities to upskill workers and reflect the dynamic changes in an industry embracing technology, noting the Budget is an opportunity to relieve the pressure.
In the NFF’s submission, keeping up with environmental pressures and climate change was also important.
“Promoting the sustainability of Australian agriculture especially focusing on the natural environment are critical to agriculture’s future, and the NFF is committed to working with the government to develop opportunities to value natural capital inside the farm gate,” Simson stated.
According to Simson, the time has come to seriously invest in these solutions and boost regional Australia’s productivity.
To become Australia’s next $100 billion industry by 2030, Simson highlighted the need first to secure our biosecurity, natural environment, and workforce.
Simson said the move to net zero would disproportionately affect regional and rural Australia regarding opportunities and challenges. She added that the government must play a key role in maximising this transition.
“We understand many of the funds established to help rural and regional Australia through this transition are being earmarked for the chopping block. We hope there are alternate plans to help with this transition, as opposed to leaving these communities with all the costs for the transition,” she stated.
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