New National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke came out strong in his first day in the role, launching a national campaign against anti-farming policies.

The new campaign, Keep Farmers Farming, takes aim at several impending policies that the NFF has deemed a threat to the industry, including Murray Darling buybacks, the proposed ban of live sheep exports to the Middle East, worker shortages across the industry, transmission lines, environment laws and competition policy. 

“They’re taking away the water, land and workers needed to grow food. That means fewer farmers doing what they do and when farmers grow less, everyone pays more,” Mr Jochinke said at the launch of the campaign during the NFF National Conference. 

The campaign comes off the back of an NFF survey that found 54.3 per cent of farmers thought Federal Government policies were hurting the industry. 

Farmers across the country have thrown their weight behind the campaign. (Supplied)

State lobby group NSW Farmers has supported the national campaign, as well as Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud. 

In his own statement, Mr Littleproud took issue with the ag visa being scrapped, banning live sheep exports, and renewable energy policies, amongst others. 

“Our farmers are under siege…. Every single Australian is feeling the impact of the pain and hurt being put onto farmers, because the end result of Labor’s bad policies are families being forced to pay more for food at the checkout.” 

Minister for ag speaks up

Also speaking at the NFF conference, however, Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt was quick to defend the policies, decisions and investments of the Albanese government.

“I have to say, it felt like a “central priority”, each time we delivered nearly $3 billion in extra funding for agriculture since taking office, despite a tight fiscal environment,” Minister Watt said. 

“It didn’t feel like “wilful ignorance” of farmers, when the Prime Minister personally raised live cattle trade disruptions with Indonesia in his recent meeting with President Widodo – disruptions that were lifted hours later.” 

“And just like you have good and bad seasons, relationships between governments and political lobby groups will have their ups and downs,” Minister Watt continued.

Mr Watt also denied the claim that there would be forced water buybacks and that employment changes would make it harder and more expensive for family farms to employ their workers. 

As part of the campaign, Mr Jochinke urged farmers and consumers to sign an open letter to the Prime Minister, contact their local MP or make a donation. 

“In the coming months, decisions by the Federal Government threaten to shave billions off farm production. We need support to ensure we have the right policies that help keep farmers farming,” Mr Jochinke told the audience. 

The survey found that 31.2 per cent thought the government was doing a good job for farmers.