Page 13 - Australian Pork Newspaper

Collective approach to ag advocacy
AT a time when the pork industry con- tinues to face multiple challenges – with bio- security threats such as foot and mouth dis- ease, African swine fever, ongoing impacts from COVID-19 and workforce shortages – advocacy with the government is critical for ensuring the sector has a voice on priority issues.
support a national agri- cultural approach.
Policy Analyst
The APL policy team is using outcomes from the NFF summit as part of its advocacy plans to ensure the industry has a strong presence on key issues and a policy envi- ronment that enables it to thrive.
As new ministers es- tablish their offices and departments implement new administrative ar- rangements, now is an important time for peak industry bodies to bed down their strategies and focus on engaging with the new government.
fibre families need.
The strategic policy work and other APL pro- grams – including the sustainability framework and planned industry transparency campaigns – utilise many of these proven tactics, and the summit helped ensure APL’s work continues to
National Farmers’ Federation chief executive officer Tony Mahar at the recent staff summit.
In July, the National Farmers’ Federation hosted a summit in Can- berra, with policy and communications staff from peak member in- dustry bodies attending from across Australia.
APL will also collabo- rate as agriculture’s rep- resentation at the newly announced Albanese Labor Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit in September.
to government on key asks, such as sustainable funding for biosecurity.
The team works closely with the NFF on their immediate pri- orities, which include pre-budget submissions
Enabling better out- comes, such as Min- ister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt’s com- mitment to biosecurity through an investment in a long-term sustainable funding model.
ahead of the October 2022 and May 2023 fed- eral budgets.
Included were agricul- ture groups as well as external experts and rep- resentatives, brought to- gether to discuss how to best approach advocacy and engagement with the new government and share the great story of Australian agriculture.
The summit high- lighted the importance of engaging with gov- ernment early and ef- fectively, ensuring the industry’s peak bodies remain trusted go-tos for agricultural policy issues.
As a member of the NFF, Australian Pork Limited can help drive priorities and ensure consistent messaging on common issues across its membership base.
A key point of dis- cussion was finding a common message that unites the diverse members of Australian agriculture as one – to propagate support and amplify our voice.
This ensures that col- lectively we present a more powerful voice
With Australians con- tinuing to face uncer- tainty – post pandemic lockdowns and the in- creased cost of living – the Australian farming community, in partner- ship with government, can provide the food and
by CHARLEY-ROSE FORD
Farming organisations are putting their money where their mouths are – offering discounts to travellers who bin their shoes.
Travellers ditch pluggers to protect Aussie farms
THROW your thongs – that’s the message from farmers desperate to stop foot and mouth disease from reaching Australia, following an outbreak on the holiday island of Bali.
cess a 30 percent Ringers Western discount code by posting evidence online that they had binned their shoes overseas.
shoes, a thorough clean is the next best thing.
Farming organisations recently put their money where their mouths were by offering discounts to travellers who binned their shoes.
“Throw out those tired old thongs – that’s the mes- sage,” Ms Simson said.
“Before you pack your bag to come home, take the time to give your shoes a good clean – paying par- ticular attention to any mud that might be caught in the tread,” Ms Simson said.
National Farmers’ Fed- eration president Fiona Simson said treating your- self to a new pair of shoes while on holiday had never been a greater act of na- tional service.
“It’s that simple.”
“Clean shoes are just a bonus.
“Foot and mouth dis- ease loves to hitchhike on shoes,” Ms Simson said.
“I never thought we’d be helping people buy new shoes to keep cattle safe, but here we are,” Ms Simson said.
Participants received their 30 percent Ringers Western discount code simply by posting a selfie binning their shoes while on holiday, using the hashtag #Throw- YourThongs and tagging in the National Farmers’ Federation.
“That means your dirty old holiday pluggers could be the thing that brings this disaster to our shores.
“FMD arriving in Aus- tralia is a nightmare scen- ario for farmers.
“Don’t risk it!”
“There’s literally nothing we won’t do to keep it out and keep our animals safe.”
Travellers returning from Indonesia were able to ac-
For those who aren’t ready to part with their
“Bin them at the airport or your hotel and post proof on social media and we’ll help you buy a shiny new pair.
“Taking that minute to clean your shoes could pre- vent a serious disaster back in Australia.
The unprecedented step by industry demonstrates how serious the situation is.
“Most importantly, don’t head straight back to a farm when you get off the plane – we need to keep our country safe.”
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Australian Pork Newspaper, August 2022 – Page 13