Weekly Bulletin

The Weekly Bulletin is now published each Monday.

If you would like to be on our distribution list, or for back editions, please contact Queensland Farmers Federation on 07 3837 4747.

07 Dec 2009 WEEKLY BULLETIN DECEMBER 7 2009

QFF PRESIDENT SPEAKS AT COAL SEAM GAS SEMINAR
QFF President Gary Sansom last week spoke at the 9th Annual Coal Seem Gas & LNG Conference. Mr Sansom highlighted the challenges farmers face in meeting the food demands of an increasing population that also drive competition from extractive resource industries. Gary concluded that there needs to be stronger policy intervention by governments which may lead to a compromise between food versus fuel. A copy of the speech is available by contacting QFF on 07 3837 4747 or going to our website at www.qff.org.au.

TRAVESTON REJECTION DECISION CONFIRMED
The Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett last week confirmed his decision not to approve the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam. The Minister also said that the Queensland Premier Anna Bligh should not abandon plans to protect the Australian lungfish because the Traveston Crossing dam is not going ahead. The State Government developed a range of environmental measures to protect endangered species in the Mary River as part of its dam proposal. Mr Garrett says his decision not to approve the project should not mean the abandonment of conservation measures. Questions will remain about what impact these measure will have on the future of farming in the valley.

ETS WOULD SEND JOBS OFFSHORE: HUNT
The Federal Opposition believes the Government's emissions trading scheme will send jobs offshore and affect the price of basic goods in Australia, ABC news reported last week. Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt says action on climate change can be achieved without an ETS, and the Liberal Party will look at cleaning up power stations, green carbon and energy efficiencies. Mr Hunt told ABC Television that if you had a genuine global market then you could use some form of trading scheme. However, he says without it there is a real issue with carbon leakage overseas, job destruction in Australia and the impact on grocery prices, electricity prices and basic goods.

MINISTER BURKE ADDRESSES NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke last week addressed the National Press Club in Canberra. The Minister spoke about global food security, and what are some of the ways in which Australia is meeting the challenges being faced. The speech, titled Food: Making it and moving it, is available by clicking here. Minister Burke also released the report by ABARE, Issues in food miles and carbon labelling. The report is available by clicking here.

AGRIFOOD SKILLS AUSTRALIA SEEKS WORKFORCE ADVICE
AgriFood Skills Australia has begun its national consultations for the 2010 Environmental Scan on the skilling and workforce needs for farm and agribusinesses. This is a relatively new and important process for scoping the needs of participants in agrifood industries. Written contributions and comments about specific sector requirements are invited and need to be submitted before year end. For more information, click here.

MEMBER NEWS

QAIF ATTRACTS GREATER INTEREST
Queensland Aquaculture Industries Federation has last week gained greater support with the addition of two new exotic sectors, including Australian tropical abalone and also edible seaweeds. Both industries are new to the State and involve production of high value aquaculture for the Asian market. QAIF already includes aquaculture sectors such as pearls, crabs, prawns and farmed fish.

OTHER NEWS

TIME TO PREPARE FOR CYCLONE, FIRE AND FLOOD SEASON
A weak El Niño event will influence most of Queensland’s summer weather, according to a statement released by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) last week. The comparatively weak El Niño will mean rainfall and flooding should not be as extensive as the past two seasons, and a tropical cyclone impact on the east coast is a little less likely than in neutral or La Niña years. The BOM says an expected late start to the monsoon and an outlook favouring above average temperatures suggests a relatively long fire season. According to the BOM, the current El Niño event is unusual in-so-far as waters to the north east of Australia remain somewhat warmer than average.

Nevertheless, most global climate models predict a continuation of the El Niño through the summer months. El Niño events are usually associated with below normal rainfall over much of Queensland and a below average number of tropical cyclones in the Coral Sea. Thunderstorms are most likely to occur from now until April with a peak in south east Queensland between now and the end of January. Most storms have the potential to be severe with damaging wind and hail. Good rains early in the year promoted vegetation growth whereas recent dry conditions, relatively high temperatures and low humidity have aided the drying process. Consequently, the fire season in most parts of Queensland is likely to be extended. For more information, visit the BOM web site here.

EXPORT INDUSTRY REFORMS BACK ON TRACK
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke last week announced an agreement with Opposition and Greens senators to facilitate Senate passage of a $127.4 million industry reform program. he Rudd Government has reached an agreement which will enable the Senate to reverse its previous decision from September to block new export certification fees and charges to return industry to full cost recovery. This decision will enable these significant reforms to proceed. Minister Burke said the reform program is the largest in a generation and has the overwhelming support of the red meat, dairy, grain, fish, horticulture and live export industry sectors. “Industry and government have worked together to ensure Australia remains a world leader in export certification systems,” Mr Burke said. “This program will cut red tape by updating IT systems helping to improve market access. This is an industry worth $30 billion annually to the economy and far too important to let political rivalries stand in the way of the reforms. The reform program will fund improvements to make export certification processes more effective and efficient, helping us respond to ever-increasing scrutiny from our export markets.

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