COMMENT FROM WAFARMERS PRESIDENT, TONY YORK Minister for Agriculture and Food Dean Nalder and Premier Colin Barnett have recently made some encouraging comments in support of the State Government and public’s commitment to biosecurity funding, and we urge them to continue to work together to find a resolution to these funding concerns. Western Australian agriculture is dependent on its clean and disease-free produce and is both a national and international leader in biosecurity. We have

WAFarmers has once again strongly opposed the introduction of the proposed backpacker tax, following a call for public submissions as part of the multi-departmental Federal Government review. The WAFarmers submission, which focused heavily on backpacker numbers, represented a Western Australian whole-of-industry approach, and was informed by our own consultation and experiences in addition to that from the Australian Hotels Association, Gascoyne Publican, The Job Shop, WA Fishing Industry Council, WA Pomegrowers, Wines WA, 2 Workin

WAFarmers Beekeeping Section was thrilled to learn last week that the former Western Australian import restrictions on honey and bee products have been reinstated, and can now be viewed on the Commonwealth BICON (Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions). BICON is an important resource for the agricultural industry, as it houses Australia’s biosecurity import conditions database for more than 20,000 plants, animals, minerals and biological products. Further, it helps viewers determine what import conditions exist and if

Detailed discussion at a Federal Government dairy symposium this week has seen an injection of confidence into the Australia’s dairy industry as the nation continues to seek a solution to the ongoing dairy crisis. The symposium, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce, was attended by over 60 farmer organisations, processors, retailers and government representatives, three of whom were from Western Australia – WAFarmers Chief Executive Officer Stephen Brown,

WAFarmers was recently invited to attend a meeting in Canberra hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Employment to discuss the Labour Mobility Assistance Program (LMAP), supporting the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP). The two-day convention, which was attended by WAFarmers Executive Officer – Policy (General) Grady Powell, aimed to provide guidance on the direction, activities and operations of the LMAP, offer feedback on the whole-of-government implementation process and provide

WAFarmers has welcomed the release of the CBH structure and governance review, which presented three structural options and possible governance approaches. The review, which was several years in the making, was released this afternoon, and intends to ensure grower members have critical input into the future structure and governance of CBH. “As Australia’s largest cooperative, we are pleased that CBH Board has given their members the opportunity to have input into the structure and governance

WAFarmers has reaffirmed its cooperation with the National Party of WA following today’s change of leadership, stating that the organisation would continue to work with the party to further the interests of the state’s agricultural sector, regardless of the leader. After challenging the Honourable Terry Redman for the party’s leadership role, former Nationals leader the Honourable Brendon Grylls took over top job following a party room meeting which spanned two days, during which Mr Redman

Tuesday 9 August is Census Night and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has provided information to assist drivers on the road on Census night.  Additionally the ABS will be sending field staff out on the road to specific rest stops to help drivers and answer any questions. Heavy Vehicle Services will be sending out a HVS update on 8 August 2016 to advise what rest stops they will be attending.  The Census is Australia’s largest

WAFarmers has welcomed Brunswick dairy farmer Michael Partridge to the position of WAFarmers Dairy Council President at the 2016 WAFarmers Dairy Conference. During yesterday’s Annual General Meeting in Busselton, Phil Depiazzi stepped down from the role of President following four years at the helm.  “I’ve really enjoyed working with such a dedicated dairy council, which is committed to achieving outcomes that are in the best interests of all WA dairy farmers,” Mr Depiazzi said. “It’s