The Federal government recently released a report on agricultural competitiveness.
You can find it at agwhitepaper.agriculture.gov.au/white-paper
The terms of reference included improving farm gate returns, farm debt and access to finance, supply chain competitiveness, job creation, infrastructure, skills and training, research and development, regulatory effectiveness, market access, and food security.
Plus there is a commitment by the government to review drought support.
These subjects would be of interest to most cherry producers.
The five main priorities identified are:
- A fairer go for farm businesses, to keep families on the farm as the cornerstone of Australian agriculture, by creating a stronger business environment with better regulation, healthier market competition, more competitive supply chains and an improved tax system.
- Building 21st century water, transport and communications infrastructure that supports efficient movement of our produce, access to suppliers and markets and production growth.
- Strengthening our approach to drought management including providing the tools to facilitate more effective risk management by farmers and a long term approach to drought that incorporates provision of enhanced social and community support for farming families and rural communities, and business initiatives for business preparedness and in–drought support.
- A smarter approach to farming based on a strong research and development system that underpins future productivity growth; and effective natural resource policy that achieves a cleaner environment as part of a stronger Australia.
- Access to premium markets through the availability a large number of premium export markets open to our produce and a stronger biosecurity system that maintains our favourable plant and animal health status.
Have your say
Fine words and principles all; but unless you as cherry producers are prepared to have a say during the submission period, do not complain about what might be missing or what you might have preferred.
I raise the subject so that you as growers may be more aware. The document is over 120 pages and takes some time to digest.
Access the document and have your say or coordinate a response through your state or federal organisation before submissions close on 12 December 2015 via agwhitepaper.agriculture.gov.au
See this article in Tree Fruit July 2015
