Primary producers across Queensland welcomed news last week when Minister for Primary Industries the Hon Tony Perrett announced changes to the definition of a ‘primary producer’ in Queensland at the Rotary FNQ Field Days event in Mareeba.
The decision, one that has been more than a decade in the making after collaborative advocacy from QFF, our peak industry members Canegrowers, Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers and Cotton Australia and other industry groups, means 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.
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), enabling 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.
This means a primary producer whose income includes agricultural support services such as cane harvesting, contract mustering, artificial insemination, cattle droving services, and contract milking services is now eligible for primary producer DRFA grants, as this is considered primary production income.
Last week’s decision is a reminder that good agricultural policy needs to keep up with the evolving face of Queensland farmers and their farming operations.
We cannot let policy making become a simple set and forget action – our farmers, the broader agricultural sector, regional communities, and consumers deserve more than that.
Earlier this year we saw nearly back-to-back flooding events across parts of Queensland significantly impacting producers, particularly the sugarcane, horticulture, beef and livestock industries, agricultural supply chains, as well as consumers across the state.
The reforms announced last week will be applied retrospectively to the Queensland 2025 summer flooding events, meaning any farmers who were previously deemed ineligible under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) should contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946 to find out what the amendments mean for them.
QFF and our members will continue to advocate for outcomes that support farmers’ access to timely disaster and drought relief.
In other positive news highlighting the importance of Queensland’s agriculture sector, Hort Connections – Australia and New Zealand’s premiere horticulture conference and trade show – is being held in Brisbane this week (4 – 6 June). QFF peak body member QFVG will be front and center at the event showcasing Queensland’s powerhouse horticulture sector and QFVG’s range of programs supporting growers.
We encourage anyone attending this event to stop by and say hello to the QFVG team. Learn more here hortconnections.com.au/