The Queensland agriculture sector, its farmers and rural communities are no strangers to significant and continuing challenges. It is this tenacity and resilience that has seen them deal with the devastating impacts of natural disasters, industry threatening biosecurity incursions, farm profitability pressures from increasing energy and water costs, and the current coronavirus pandemic affecting the agricultural workforce and supply chains. While farmers are busy managing their businesses, they expect their agricultural representative groups to improve their operating environments and assist them in facing down these challenges.
Like other agricultural representative groups throughout Queensland and the country, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation and our 17 industry members engage in a broad range of economic, social, environmental, and regional issues of strategic importance to the productivity, sustainability and growth of the agricultural sector. Together, we aim to secure a strong and sustainable future for the Queensland farmers who choose us to represent their common interests and advocate of their behalf. While a diverse group, our strength to effectively and efficiently deliver on farm improvements for Queensland agriculture is derived from our collaboration and cooperation to form a unified voice.
It is unfortunate that recent actions and events have sought to create an alternative voice on sugarcane issues in Queensland. Particularly when CANEGROWERS and the Australian Cane Farmers Association continue to provide very capable representation, leadership and services to growers across the state. And to suggest that this would create further cohesion within the agriculture sector is a poor attempt to justify such an action which will only do the opposite.
At a time when Queensland farmers are facing ongoing issues and challenges, they require unified agricultural representation more than ever. QFF and our members will continue to work together to advocate and seek positive outcomes for sector-wide issues with a unity of purpose. For a house divided against itself cannot stand, and at this time we must all be pulling the same direction to ensure a bright future for Queensland agriculture.