What’s the latest news happening in the VFF commodity space? Read on to learn more.
DAIRY VFF UDV
DAIRY CODE OF CONDUCT
The Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry have commenced a review of the Dairy Industry Code. The VFF/UDV provided a submission to the inquiry arguing that while overall the code has had a positive impact for Victorian dairy farmers strengthening the Code in relation to dispute resolution and increasing transparency in milk supply agreements will assist farmers in ensuring long term profitability.
DAIRY AUSTRALIA
The VFF/UDV has been engaging with Dairy Australia and other industry stakeholders with the aim of reforming and improving the current governance structures of Dairy Australia. A key priority for UDV is seeking the removal of the Australian Dairy Products Federation as a class B shareholder. The VFF/UDV will continue to work with industry in ensuring that farmers’ levies are used for maximum benefit for Victorian dairy farmers.
LIVESTOCK
WILD DOG MANAGEMENT
The Victorian Government’s unilateral action to protect the dingo in the states North-West, has come as a shock to farmers and the community. The VFF has been highly critical of this decision and has met with Agriculture Victoria to express our concern around the validity of the decision.
We will continue to place strong pressure on the Government to reverse their decision and to ensure that farmers can protect their livestock from wild dog and dingo attacks.
The VFF is focussed on achieving a clear outcome that would see farmers having confidence and certainty around government’s support for practical wild dog management. This can be achieved through the following objectives:
- A commitment to re-establish the Wild Dog Management Advisory Committee to help ensure future decisions are informed directly by the knowledge and experience of livestock producers.
- A commitment to support and fund wild dog management activities that give farmers and communities a suite of tools which are proven to achieve outcome.
- A commitment to support producers in the North West with relevant information; to provide expeditated decision making and granting of Authority to Control Wildlife permits; and an expedited review of the government’s revocation of the unprotection order.
NATIONAL eID ROLLOUT
In 2022 the state and federal Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting committed to a national industry-led eID system roll-out for sheep and goats by 2025. Victoria already has eID for sheep and goats, and industry has been actively supporting a harmonised system across Australia that ensures traceability. The VFF is strongly engaged and has been advocating for all states and industries to come to together to ensure that the original timeline is met.
HORTICULTURE
VARROA MITE
The VFF is progressing discussions with the Victorian Government and lobbying for dedicated funding as part as the National Transition to Management Plan for Varroa Mite. We are focussed on seeing extension and engagement services delivered to pollination services users across the commodities, as well as for smaller scale beekeepers to ensure they are prepared and complying with their responsibilities to the industry.
INTENSIVES
CHICKEN MEAT CODE OF CONDUCT
The NFF has released its final report towards creating greater market transparency and competition in the poultry meat sector Final-Report-NFF-Market-Price-Transparency-Project-April-2024-v2.pdf.
The report recommends a mandatory Code of Conduct established to competition and transparency concerns within the industry. The VFF was a member of the Advisory Committee for the review and provided a submission the interim report supporting the need for a mandatory code of conduct for the industry – which has been recommended in the Final Report.
PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO PIG WELFARE
The VFF was strongly represented at the Victorian Parliament Inquiry into pig welfare. Representatives gave strong evidence about the extensive animal welfare standards on Victorian farms, emphasising the negative impacts of activist trespassing on biosecurity, pig health and welfare, and the mental health of farmers, their families, and staff. Their contributions highlighted the industry’s commitment to high welfare practices and the serious consequences of unauthorised farm access.
CAGED EGG PRODUCTION PHASEOUT
The VFF has hosted a forum for Victorian caged egg producers to discuss advocacy responses to the expected phase out of conventional cages by 2036 as a consequence of the creation of new National Standards and Guidelines. The VFF is taking the feedback from producers and will be conducting business surveys over the next month to understand the impact of forced industry exits prior to advocating solutions to the Victorian Government.