President Dale Park Shoppers will get carbon tax cash – AAP Farm groups welcome tax-axe – Countryman WA Farmers Federations criticises WA rail monopoly – ABC Rural Wool woes strike fine end of market as prices shorn this season – ABC Good times for WA agriculture as farmers ride a food boom – The Sunday Times/PerthNow Cattle prices seen rising – The West Meat Council President Jeff Murray Rinehart beefs up industry – South Western

All positions on the Dairy Executive (President, Senior Vice President and Vice President) are open for re-elected at this upcoming Dairy Conference on July 24. Download a nomination form here and return by Tuesday, July 22.

WAFarmers this week has welcomed the release of the Future of the beekeeping and pollination service industries in Australia report tabled this week in the Senate.   WAFarmers made a submission to the inquiry in April this year.  Amongst the ten recommendations, it is fantastic to see that many of the recommendations from WAFarmers have been included in the Senate report such as: Establishing relevant guidelines to clarify access to public lands by beekeepers. Ensuring that

Following the repeal of the carbon tax today, WAFarmers President Dale Park said he hoped the move would result in the lowering of input costs for agricultural production. WAFarmers has strongly opposed the carbon tax since it was proposed by the previous government due to the negative effect it had on farmers’ bottom line. Mr Park said the carbon tax had jeopardised the competitiveness of agriculture by increasing the costs of key production inputs, such

Wool Industry Forum Program The future of the wool industry, including current in-shed challenges and opportunities will be the focus of an afternoon forum held on 29 July at the UWA Club, Nedlands Perth. Issues around classing, quality and costs of preparing wool for sale due to changes in the sheep flock number on farm and the rising costs of wool handling will be explored. Presentations include Wool handling R&D update: Paul Swan, AWI TBC

Members are reminded the consultation period for the Emergency Services Act Concept Paper closes on July 31. The Concept Paper has been drafted based on the extensive consultation that has been undertaken. During the first stage of consultation, the Review Team met with over 450 people as part of information sessions across Western Australia. The Project Team also hosted 11 expert panel meetings between August and November 2013, with representatives of local governments, state government

WAFarmers’ Livestock section made a submission on the “Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System” to Department of Agriculture on 15 July. WAFarmers Meat Council supports the live export industry as an integral component of livestock production and marketing in Western Australia. WAFarmers is highly committed to positive animal welfare outcomes and supports the use of a monitoring system but believes a refined (less red tape) ESCAS will result in better outcomes for producers. Key points of

The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) has launched a new online tool which allows farmers to investigate almost 100 options for diversifying their enterprise. The search tool, located on the www.farmdiversity.com.au website is free and easy to use. After simply entering their postcode, farmers see a ‘shortlist’ of industries that may be viable in their area. More specific search information, such as rainfall, soil type and climate zone can be used to refine

New legislation passed through the Senate this week will ensure Australian farmers retain access to safe and effective farm chemicals—an outcome strongly welcomed by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF). The legislation, titled the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Removing Re-approval and Re-registration) Bill 2014, will ease the unnecessary regulatory burden imposed on Australian agriculture, by removing the requirement to re-register already approved safe and effective chemicals used on Australian farms. Chair of the NFF