The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) alongside its peak industry body members Cotton Australia, Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) and Canegrowers, have welcomed today’s announcement by the Minister for Primary Industries the Hon Tony Perrett MP regarding changes to the definition of a ‘primary producer’ in Queensland.
The changes will see the definition of a primary producer amended allowing greater access to support under the join Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), allowing disaster-affected farmers who may have been previously ineligible for assistance in Queensland can apply for support measures like Disaster Recovery Grants, disaster loans and freight subsidies.
The previous definition of primary producer caused confusion for farmers and farm businesses applying for disaster and drought assistance. It also limited a farmer’s ability to generate ‘off-farm’ income—through agritourism, contract harvesting, or other farming-related activities—without risking the loss of their primary producer status.
QFF CEO Jo Sheppard said that QFF and its peak body members – Canegrowers, Cotton Australia, and QFVG – have advocated for these changes for more than a decade.
“The previous definition of ‘primary producer’ has been a barrier to farmers across the state receiving the timely support they need during natural disasters and droughts,” Ms Sheppard said.
“Good agricultural policy is never a set and forget. It is critical that policy relating to the definition of a primary producer keeps up with the evolving face of Queensland farmers and their farming operations.
“Not only was the old definition causing administrative headaches, but it was actually locking genuine farming enterprises out of access to this support when they needed it the most.
“It is positive to see that farmers who are strengthening their farm business resilience by diversifying on-farm income streams will no longer being penalised and risking their primary producer status.”
QFF and its peak body members will continue to advocate for outcomes that support farmers’ access to timely disaster and drought relief.
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Media contact:
Anna Jones
Corporate Partnerships and Communications Manager, QFF
E: partnerships@qff.org.au
P: 0481 395 623