NATIONAL Farmers’ Federation president, Hamish McIntyre, has welcomed the news the crippling fertiliser shortage has been eased with supplies from Indonesia locked in.
“This is a very welcome step and will go a long way to restoring confidence for farmers heading into the winter growing season,” Mr McIntyre said.
“Securing an additional 250,000 tonnes of urea provides some much-needed certainty. This is around 20 per cent of the remaining fertiliser needed for the season ahead.
“Farmers have been especially concerned about access to in-season fertiliser and what that could mean for yields.
It’s a clear demonstration of how important our international trading relationships are, with Indonesia stepping up at the right time,” he said.
“We acknowledge the Government has worked closely with industry to get to this point. The establishment of a fertiliser taskforce, underwriting of fuel and fertiliser imports, streamlining border processes, and the deferral of increased export cost recovery have been a direct result of member driven advocacy by the NFF and important steps in easing pressure on farmers.
“There is still more work to do. This only fills part of the gap, and farmers are still facing tight supply and high costs.
“We will continue working with Government to close that gap, not just on fertiliser but on fuel as well, because both are critical to keeping food and fibre growing and moving,” he said.
Mr McIntyre also wants to see financial support for regional small to medium businesses doing it tough as a direct result of this conflict.
“This issue poses a real and immediate threat to business viability,” he said.
“At the same time, we need to lift our sights to ensure this is the last time we find ourselves so vulnerable to global shocks.
“We must use this moment to strengthen Australia’s sovereign capability, so we’re not back in this position again and farmers have the certainty to keep producing the food and fibre we all rely on,” he said.
