Farmers have provided a detailed
list of what Government can do to propel the sector’s contribution to
Australia’s COVID-19 economic recovery and to support a continued prosperous
future.
Headlining the NFF’s 2021-2022
pre-budget submission is a call for Government to invest in the development of
a long-term agriculture trade strategy.
“Recent disruptions will cost the
industry $36.9 billion this decade,” CEO Tony Mahar said.
“To counter these headwinds, a
long-term trade strategy that deepens access to existing markets, diversifies
export destinations, improves supply chains, and builds domestic value-adding
capabilities is a must.”
“Biosecurity is also key to maintaining
and expanding our export markets. Alarmingly, our current system risks not
being up to the job, without adequate investment in its expansion and
modernisation.
“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
has demonstrated the wrecking ball effect a biosecurity outbreak can have. The
cost of a single outbreak of disease or pest has been conservatively estimated
to exceed $50 billion.”
A critical lack of farm workers
continues to constrain agriculture’s growth and the perennial shortage has been
exasperated by COVID-19 border restrictions. The NFF’s pre-budget submission
puts forward a holistic workforce package to address the challenge.
Mr Mahar said right now the
Government had a one in 100-year opportunity to put serious investment and
strategic planning towards the revitalisation of regional Australia.
“The NFF is backed by other
leading industry voices in our call for the development of 20 place-based
development precincts across Regional Australia. And, key to regional Australia
reaching its potential is access to quality telecommunications. We’re asking
for more than $400 million over the forward estimates to expand mobile phone
services and to support regional Australians in getting connected.
Mr Mahar said agriculture also required
Government support to contribute to the nation’s emissions reduction task.
“The sector backs an economy-wide
aspiration of net zero emissions by 2050, provided it is economically sound and
government policy is not unnecessarily detrimental to the industry.
“Investment in RD&E that
supports better understanding of climate impacts and opportunities is critical
to support adaptation and mitigation processes,” Mr Mahar said.
See the NFF’s 2021-2022 Pre-Budget Submission here.
