A meeting this morning between WAFarmers and the Minister for Education Sue Ellery to discuss ongoing regional education issues has been described as “constructive” and “collaborative”, with the Minister providing clarity on a number of fronts. WAFarmers met with the Minister to discuss the proposed closure of the Moora Residential College and Department of Education camp facilities, the redirection of funds from the Agricultural Education Provisions Trust and the perceived decline of agricultural education within

The WAFarmers Livestock Council will not support the State Government’s suggestion to sell the Muchea saleyards to fund replacement saleyards for Boyanup, citing increases in selling costs for producers as a major concern. The comments come after consideration of the Replacement of Boyanup Saleyards Final Report released late last year, which was commissioned by the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority and undertaken by Deloitte Access Economics. WAFarmers Livestock Section President David Slade said there is

The State Government has succumbed to pressure from concerned families and from industry, announcing that amongst other reversals, the Schools of the Air (SOTA) will remain operational in regional Western Australia and the Northam Residential College will remain open. In a media statement released this afternoon, the McGowan Government acknowledged they had made a rushed decision last month that had left many people feeling anxious and understandably distressed. Minister for Education Sue Ellery also vowed

By WAFarmers President Tony York Another year gone, and what a year it’s been for WAFarmers. We’ve had some significant change occur throughout the year in all aspects of the organisation. March was a particularly busy month for us, with our fantastic Annual Conference followed immediately by a State Election. The election saw a change of government and a new Minister for Agriculture. A new government offers an opportunity to address a range of unattended

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is proposing to extend the existing State Barrier Fence from its current termination point 25 kilometres east of Ravensthorpe, north to Salmon Gums and ending east of Esperance near Cape Arid National Park in WA.  An Environmental Review Document (ERD) has been prepared by DPIRD and released for public review. The ERD describes the proposal, and examines the likely environmental effects and the proposed environmental management procedures

In the lead-up to the holiday period, WAFarmers urges drivers to take extra care when on the roads, particularly when navigating around agricultural vehicles. The comments follow the recent launch of the South West Road Ribbon for Road Safety Campaign which aims to raise awareness of the importance of road safety during the Christmas and New Year holiday period. “While drivers should always be careful and show consideration for others on the road, this is

WAFarmers Members and members of the general public are advised of discussions and developments during the most recent Dairy Section Meeting, on Tuesday 5 December 2017 including, but not limited to, the information below: The sale of Brownes Dairy to Shanghai Ground Food Tech was welcomed by the WAFarmers Dairy Council. WAFarmers will commence discussions with the new owners in the new year, particularly regarding managing milk flows and establishing positive working relationships going forward. 

Regional and rural students are being hit hard once again by politics, with numerous residential and school camp facilities due to close over the next 12 months. In a statement released yesterday, Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery announced changes that would see an estimated $64 million saved across the forward estimates. Amongst other changes, Moora and Northam residential accommodation will close along with six camp schools run by the Department of Education. Schools

The Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs last week announced the commencement of an inquiry into mechanisms for compensation for economic loss to farmers in WA caused by contamination by genetically modified material. Prompted by the tabling of a petition by the Hon Diane Evers MLC on 13 June, the Minister for Agriculture and Food supported the committee investigating whether there needs to be a mechanism in place. With GM canola being a legal

The state’s agricultural industry faces the loss of immense knowledge and skills, with the State Government’s voluntary redundancy scheme set to hit the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) hard. Minister for Agriculture and Food Alannah MacTiernan confirmed redundancies would be offered in an effort to ‘rebuild’ the department, which recorded only 965 FTE in 2016 compared to 1,581 FTE in 2007 when it was still the Department of Agriculture and Food WA.