Farmers are concerned that merging the Trade and Foreign Affairs portfolios may have implications for Australian trade opportunities.

Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) President Andrew Broad said that farmers were one of the nation’s largest export groups and he was concerned that trade relationships, and particularly the exploration of new trade opportunities, may not be given the appropriate attention without a dedicated Minister.

Mr Broad was responding to the minor Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday in which she appointed Stephen Smith as Minister for Trade in addition to his pre-existing Foreign Affairs responsibilities.

“Australian farmers are some of this nation’s greatest exporters. Each year over $32 billion in agricultural produce leaves our shores with farmers exporting 60 percent of the food and fibre they produce. Trade is one of the government’s most important portfolios, and one of the most significant policy areas for our industry” Mr Broad said.

Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) President Andrew Broad has declared this year’s VFF Conference a success after large turnouts and impressive feedback from participants.

The conference embraced an updated format with a greater focus on practical business sessions and was moved from the traditional Melbourne location to Bendigo in the heart of Central Victoria.

“We’ve had two days of full houses and constructive discussion. I have been extremely impressed by the quality of debate and the number of farmers who have voted with their feet in terms of our organisation’s ongoing relevance,” Mr Broad said. 

Victorian farmers paid tribute to the best in the business last night, as the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Branch of the Year and Apprentice of the Year were announced at the VFF’s Annual Conference Gala Dinner, in Bendigo.

Lachlan Baird from Prime Super announced the Inghams Branch as the 2010 VFF Branch of the Year, while the Managatang Branch was awarded runner up. Malcolm Jackman CEO of Elders announced Woolsthorpe livestock farmer, Esther Glasgow as the 2010 VFF/Elders Apprentice of the Year.

“I would like to congratulate Inghams Branch President Allan Bullen, Branch Secretary Cameron Poole and all the members of the VFF Inghams Branch for their hard work and determination in supporting farmers in their local community,” VFF President Andrew Broad said.

Address by Andrew Broad
President of the Victorian Farmers Federation

Speech to VFF Annual General Meeting

Bendigo
4:00pm, 24 June 2010

Last year, after my election as President, a video was played at the Gala Dinner which reflected upon the 30 year history of our Federation. That night I felt the magnitude of responsibility that came with the role that the membership had entrusted me with.

More than 400 farmers have converged on the former gold-rush town of Bendigo today for the Victorian Farmers Federation’s (VFF) Annual General Meeting and Conference.

VFF President Andrew Broad said that farmers had come from across the state to elect new office bearers, vote on key constitutional reforms and set the direction of the organisation for the next year.

“I am pleased to welcome so many of our members to Central Victoria, a region that will be critical in deciding the result of November’s State Election,” Mr Broad said.

More than 100 members of the Victorian Farmers Federation’s (VFF) Livestock Group have gathered in Bendigo today for the Group’s 31st Annual Meeting and Conference, part of the 2010 VFF and Associated Commodities Annual General Meeting and Conference taking place from Thursday 24 – Friday 25 June. 

VFF Livestock Group President Chris Nixon said the Conference would bring Victorian livestock producers together to set the agenda for the industry over the coming 12 months.

“This year’s VFF Livestock Group Conference will provide a number of exciting activities for Victorian livestock farmers to participate in,” Mr Nixon said.

The Victorian Farmers Federation’s (VFF) Horticulture Group has elected Swan Hill grower Gaye Tripodi to lead the Group for the coming year. Ms Tripodi was elected unopposed at the Group’s Annual Meeting and Conference held in Bendigo today alongside the 2010 VFF Annual Conference.  

Ms Tripodi said she was delighted by her appointment as President of the Group and was looking forward to leading the Victorian horticultural industry through the challenging times ahead. Ouen Treasurer 

“Victorian growers face a number of significant issues in their effort to meet the growing demand for food for our nation and our export markets. Growers need the support of Australia’s largest state farm lobby group and I look forward to taking on the issues and challenging governments to understand and support our industry,” Mrs Tripodi said.

Farmers have welcomed the State Government’s Blueprint for regional Victoria, with support for big ticket items including additional funding for the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), new funding for sustaining small towns, support for young farmers and investment in rural education.

VFF President Andrew Broad said the $631 million Ready for Tomorrow blueprint included a number of initiatives that would assist in building the capacity of Victoria’s rural and regional communities.

“At a time when Australia’s population is set to boom, encouraging a substantial proportion of our inevitable growth in rural and regional areas is fundamental. To achieve this, Victorian communities require strong government investment,” Mr Broad said.

President of the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Andrew Broad will be available for comment after the launch of the Victorian Government’s blueprint for regional Victoria in Ballarat today.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend to hear how this blueprint will affect rural communities.

Farmers have welcomed an announcement by Victorian Premier John Brumby of a $43.5 million ‘war on locusts’ fund saying it is the right step to address the threat of a potential locust plague later this year.

VFF President Andrew Broad said farmers would be pleased the government had heeded their concerns and would fulfil the commitment made by Agriculture Minister Joe Helper to stand shoulder to shoulder with primary producers in a campaign against locusts.

“The locust threat is one which has the potential to affect the whole Victorian community, the only way to control locusts is by farmers and the government working together,” Mr Broad said.