From July 18 to 20, 230 delegates descended on the NSW Farmers Annual Conference held at Rosehill Racecourse at Parramatta.
NSW Farmers chief executive officer Peter Arkle welcomed the conference noting the purpose of the annual conference was to debate the 100 most important issues impacting farmers and to shape policy on behalf of the state’s farming organisation.
People travelled from as far West as Wilcannia and as far north as the Northern Rivers.
The south was represented by Berrigan, Jerilderie, Deniliquin, Bunnaloo and Coleambally delegates advocating on water security, biosecurity funding models and inland rail.
Biodiversity and natural capital were hot topics with Mr Arkle saying: “We are building a legacy, and the sooner you begin, the longer you will have to craft it.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns addressed the conference acknowledging what a complicated industry agriculture was and pointing out what a Labor government had achieved since being elected in March this year.
He covered off on the appointment of an Interim Biosecurity Commissioner to begin work mapping out pest, weed and disease issues that threaten the agricultural industry.
Mr Minns also announced a further $8 million to boost the feral pig control program to reduce the density of wild pigs throughout NSW causing damage to private and public land.
“NSW cannot thrive unless our regions thrive and for that to occur, agriculture must thrive,” he said.
“There are challenges and opportunities for our farmers and the state government must support our primary industries.”
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty emphasised the importance of biosecurity as varroa mite, red jumping fire ants, FMD and LSD all threaten the ag sector.
Ms Moriarty took questions from the floor regarding coal seam gas, renewable energy rollouts and government funded farm education schemes.
After two-and-a-half days of spirited debate, the conference concluded with delegates tasked with the job of reporting back to their branches throughout the state.
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