Dairy farmers will get the chance to hear NSW Farmer’s plans to strengthen and support the industry at a series of forums next week.
The NSW Farmers Dairy Industry Forum will bring local farmers together with Australian Dairy Farmers, NSW Department of Primary Industries Dairy Unit and Dairy Australia/Dairy NSW as the organisation prepares its dairy restructure.
“This is an exciting time for dairy farmers in NSW,” NSW Farmers Dairy Committee Chair Colin Thompson said.
“During the NSW Dairy Action Plan consultation process, farmers called for a strengthened connection that delivers on the issues that impact upon them and their farm business, and that’s what we’re doing with our restructure.
“Our new Dairy Manager will be able to take concerns from farmers directly to the decision makers, marrying up the needs of farmers with the advocacy capability of NSW Farmers.”
The NSW Farmers Dairy Committee secured the support of the NSW Farmers board in employing a full time, dedicated Dairy Manager to run the dairy section of NSW Farmers, with the goal of unifying dairy advocacy in NSW, to ensure a strong voice in state and national policy decisions. Mr Thompson said this was a great opportunity to build upon past successes and help secure a sustainable dairy sector into the future.
“The NSW Farmers Dairy Committee has fought hard to address supply chain and competition problems in the industry, such as the implementation of the mandatory Dairy Code of Conduct and the creation of an ACCC inquiry into perishable agricultural goods,” Mr Thompson said.
“We are actively engaged in the development and roll out of the NSW Dairy Action Plan, regularly engaging with DPI, and we are working to de-risk dairy.
“I’m confident we can build upon recent wins such as coastal harvestable rights and deliver some great targeted outcomes for dairy farmers.”
The NSW Farmers Dairy Industry Forum will visit the north coast the following week, and visits to inland dairy areas will happen early in the New Year.
