Senator McDonald
Standing Committee Chair
Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
Via: ua.vog.hpa@nes.tarr
Dear Senator McDonald,
Re: Federal Government’s response to drought
GrainGrowers is a national grain farmer representative organisation with 17,000 grower members across Australia. Our vision is a more efficient, sustainable and profitable grains industry for all Australian grain farmers. GrainGrowers welcomes this opportunity to provide feedback to the Federal Government’s response to the drought and the adequacy and appropriateness of policies and measures to support farmers, regional communities and the Australian economy.
As you are aware drought is one of the most significant risks faced by regional communities and Australian agriculture. GrainGrowers believes farmers are in the best position to assess the risks they face and take active steps to adopt risk management strategies that consider their individual needs and circumstances. Governments have a responsibility to ensure the environment farmers operate in is open with limited barriers that impede upon a farming enterprises ability to adopt and implement preparedness and resilience measures.
Attached you will find GrainGrowers’ drought policy. Our drought policy outlines the actions governments should take now in order to respond to the current pressures of drought along with empowering growers to manage their risks. We have taken this opportunity to also provide our Future Drought Fund submission. Should you require any further information, please contact GrainGrowers Policy Manager for Rural Affairs, Amelia Shaw on (02) 9286 2000 or ua.moc.sreworgniarg@wahs.ailema
Yours sincerely,
David McKeon
CEO