NSW FARMERS JOINS GRAINGROWERS IN NATIONAL ADVOCACY PUSH

By Jessica Dempster

NSW Farmers has formally joined GrainGrowers as a State Farming Organisation member, strengthening national representation for New South Wales grain producers on issues affecting their businesses.

The membership builds on a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year, giving NSW Farmers a formal role in national grains policy and advocacy discussions.

NSW Farmers chief executive Annabel Johnson says the arrangement will give growers a stronger, more coordinated voice at state and federal levels.

She points to the recent joint industry push to delay tighter workplace exposure limits for phosphine by 18 months as an example of what the partnership can achieve.

Ms Johnson says the additional time will allow industry to develop the evidence, guidance and systems needed to implement the changes while maintaining worker safety.

GrainGrowers chair Rhys Turton says the partnership will strengthen advocacy on issues including input costs, regulation, trade, biosecurity and market access, adding that agricultural challenges do not stop at state borders.