A united front of NSW farmers has called on state leaders to address critical challenges facing the agricultural sector, including biosecurity threats, drought support, flood recovery assistance, feral animal and wild dog control and rising freight costs, during the annual NSW Farmers Conference held in Sydney today.
With hundreds of delegates in attendance, the conference provided a platform for direct engagement with political leaders. NSW Premier Chris Minns and Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty each addressed the room, offering updates on government action and fielding robust questions from the floor.
Biosecurity emerged as the dominant issue, driven by growing concerns over the spread of invasive species such as red imported fire ants advancing from Queensland and wild dogs crossing from the ACT.
Premier Minns underscored the seriousness of the threat, announcing a significant increase in funding, from $15 million to $95 million, to combat fire ants under the national eradication program.
“I appreciate the risk has become more acute,” Mr Minns said.
“The government's response, we've increased that to $95 million, tipping in more than any other state.”
The Premier linked biosecurity challenges to natural disasters, calling for a unified response.
“The success of individual farmers is dependent on a collective effort,” he said, highlighting penalties of up to $1.1 million for individuals and $2.2 million for corporations that breach biosecurity orders.
Minister Moriarty reinforced the government’s commitment, outlining joint operations with NSW Police targeting cross-border threats.
“We’ve introduced random vehicle checks at the border,” she said.
“To date, 676 vehicles have been stopped, and 24 directed to return to Queensland.”
Additionally, the following points were reiterated to the NSW Farmers delegates:
The government will spend $358 million on recovery efforts for the mid-north coast region following recent natural disasters.
The will provide up to $75,000 grants to primary producers for clean-up, repair, and restocking/replanting following natural disasters.
Invest an additional $41 million in agricultural research and development.
Young farmers received strong backing at this year’s conference, with overwhelming support for tailored subsidies to ease the pressures of rising land prices and insurance costs.
Two motions from the NSW Young Farmers Committee passed with minimal debate, calling for improved access to affordable farm insurance and support for first-time buyers struggling to meet requirements under the federal Help to Buy scheme.
Tumbarumba delegate Malcolm Mackenzie welcomed the scheme’s 30-year, interest-free loan model, but said many young farmers still couldn’t afford deposits or ongoing repayments.
Both Minister Moriarty and Premier Minns confirmed the NSW Government has committed an additional $41.5 million to modernise the state’s research and development efforts, bringing the total investment to $100 million.
“The government is committed to investing in primary industries research to ensure readiness for the future,” Minister Moriarty said.
“For every dollar invested in research, we see a return of $8. That’s why it’s so important we get it right.”
During the open-floor session with Minister Moriarty, farmers raised a number of pressing concerns affecting on-farm productivity and profitability.
Minister Moriarty also reported on pest control measures, confirming that $14.3 million had been allocated in the state budget to combat invasive species.
“We can advise that the Feral Pig and Pest Program has successfully removed 212,000 pigs,” she said.
Additional key issues raised by farmers included:
Freight costs, especially for producers battling drought conditions. While no firm commitments were made, Minister Moriarty said she was “happy to look at options” to assist those affected.
Wild dog incursions from the ACT, with repeated calls for stronger action to prevent livestock attacks. The Minister said she did not support the ACT Government’s handling of the issue and would continue to raise it with her counterparts.
Fencing and biosecurity, particularly the role of exclusion fencing. Ms Moriarty acknowledged that fencing plays “a part” in the broader biosecurity response and stressed the need for better coordination across programs.
With delegates supporting a motion to introduce a first farm buyer’s scheme – similar to the first home buyer’s scheme, NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said it was clear young farmers were the key to a future with food security.
“First home buyers get support and so it’s only fair that the same is available to those buying their first farm too,” Mr Martin said.
“Our food security depends on our farmers – but if they can’t get their foot in the door of some farmland, and fast, we won’t have any left.”
Technology was also front and centre of the day’s debate, with farmers calling for new legal protections around artificial intelligence and farm data, as well as laws to ban anti-agriculture activists from publishing illegally-obtained images or details of farms online.
“Animal activists are threatening our homes, our businesses, and our biosecurity – and we simply cannot stand by and let this happen,” Mr Martin said.
“Meanwhile, technological breakthroughs like artificial intelligence, which are being built into agriculture at breakneck speed, could bring some big gains, but also big risks.
“We’re all too familiar with data breaches and cyber security concerns, and we need the regulation in place to protect our people and our environments from the very real data risks that AI technology already presents.”
Delegates also endorsed a ban on the transfer of waste from Sydney's waste management facilities to rural areas, and supported a motion calling for greater scrutiny of the finances of local councils applying for special rate variations.
Other motions passed at the Conference included motions in support of:
• Restoring mobile coverage to pre-3G shutdown levels, at a minimum, in NSW
• Introducing dollar-for-dollar grants to fund feral pig control
• Boosting large-scale government investment to eradicate pests and weeds
• Introducing a legislated right to repair agricultural machinery
• Creating affordable insurance products for young farmers
• Removing emergency service levies and stamp duty from farm insurance policies
• Pausing the adoption of native vegetation regulatory maps until proven accurate.
Elections were also held for a number of Board positions, with Peter Wilson re-elected to serve as NSW Farmers’ Treasurer, and Glen Andreazza, Shane Kilby and David Young were elected to the NSW Farmers’ Board.