Year of the Farmer must be more than just a catchphrase, Crook

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 09-February-2012

NATIONALS WA Federal Member for O’Connor, Tony Crook MP, has called on the Federal Government to put agricultural issues on the agenda in Parliament this year.

Mr Crook said 2012 was the Australian Year of the Farmer – celebrating and recognising the role of the farmer and the agricultural sector in Australia’s development.

But Mr Crook said the Year of the Farmer had to be “more than just a catchphrase.”

“In the Year of the Farmer it is not enough to just recognise and congratulate the farmer - we must do more,” Mr Crook said.

“We must help our farmers, so they can continue to remain on the land, driving our economy, protecting our food security, and keeping our regional communities sustainable.

“If 2012 is to truly be the Year of the Farmer, the Federal Government must lend their support to the agricultural sector and get to work on addressing some key issues.”

Mr Crook said live export continued to be a concern across Australia.

“With the Federal Government now focussing on sheep exports to the Middle East, many producers in my electorate of O’Connor are understandably concerned.”

Mr Crook said the Federal Government must do everything in its power to ensure there was not a repeat of last year’s live export ban.

“Any impact on Western Australia’s sheep trade with the Middle East could be devastating for producers and regional communities.”

The Middle East currently consumes 99 per cent of WA’s total sheep exports, with most of these sheep produced in O’Connor.

Mr Crook said the drought in Western Australia also required Federal Government assistance.

“While I appreciate the assistance that has been provided in the past by the State and Federal Governments, there are some areas in my electorate which continue to suffer from  drought year after year.”

Mr Crook said the drought was threatening farmers off the land in Salmon Gums and Southern Cross.

“Even with sustainable drought strategies in place, some farmers are struggling to make ends meet.”

Mr Crook urged the Federal Government to take action on these issues.

“When agriculture suffers, regional Australia suffers.”

The agriculture sector generates $41.8 billion to the Australian economy each year, and farming and agribusiness supports 1.6 million jobs in Australia.

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