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| NSW Farmers | |
|---|---|
| Name | NSW Farmers Association |
| Founded | 18 July 1919 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Region served | New South Wales, Australia |
| Membership | Farmers, graziers, horticulturists, agribusinesses |
NSW Farmers is a peak industry body representing agricultural producers across New South Wales, Australia. The association advocates for primary producers including livestock, cropping, horticulture, and diversified farm enterprises, engaging with state and national institutions to influence policy affecting rural communities. It provides member services, technical support, and public campaigns on issues from biosecurity to water management.
Formed in 1919, the association emerged amid post‑World War I rural organisation movements alongside groups such as the Australian Country Party, Graziers' associations, and state agricultural societies like the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales. Early leaders negotiated land settlement and soldier settler schemes tied to legislation such as the Clive Evatt era reforms and infrastructural projects including the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Throughout the 20th century the organisation interacted with national bodies including the National Farmers' Federation and engaged in debates over tariffs, the Wheat Marketing Board, and agricultural research institutions such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. In the late 20th and early 21st century it confronted challenges from events like the Murray–Darling Basin water reforms, droughts reminiscent of the 1982–83 and 2002–09 episodes, and biosecurity scares tied to outbreaks such as Hendra virus and Foot-and-mouth disease contingency planning.
The association is governed by an elected board and regional councils reflecting constituencies across the state, interacting with statutory agencies including the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and regulatory bodies like the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. Its constitution prescribes annual general meetings and member delegate systems comparable to structures used by the National Farmers' Federation and state counterparts such as the Victorian Farmers Federation. Senior staff coordinate policy, communications, and membership services while liaising with parliamentary offices in Sydney and regional electorates such as New England (New South Wales electorate) and Riverina (federal division). The organisation maintains advisory committees on topics including water, biosecurity, workplace relations, and trade, engaging experts from institutions like the University of New England and the University of Sydney.
Membership spans commodity groups including woolgrowers, cotton growers, viticulturists, and horticultural producers, linking to commodity councils such as Australian Wool Innovation and Cotton Australia. The association is affiliated with national networks including the National Farmers' Federation and collaborates with peak bodies like the Regional Australia Institute and environmental agencies such as the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. Corporate partnerships have included agritech firms, cooperatives, and supply chain entities known in Australia such as Beyond Blue (for rural mental health partnerships) and major insurers operating in agricultural risk management. The organisation also engages with Indigenous landowner groups, local government associations like the NSW Local Government Association, and community stakeholders from regions including the Riverina, New England Tablelands, and Central West (New South Wales).
The association advocates on water policy in forums concerning the Murray–Darling Basin Plan, rural infrastructure funding negotiated with the Council of Australian Governments, and trade policy in contexts involving agreements like the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement. It has taken stances on biosecurity measures in response to threats referenced by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and supported industry-led animal welfare standards framed against codes from bodies such as the Australian Veterinary Association. The organisation lobbies on taxation and workplace policy interacting with legislation drafted in the Parliament of New South Wales and federal reforms debated in the Parliament of Australia, and has participated in submissions to inquiries by bodies such as the Productivity Commission and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Programs include on‑farm business training, mental health support initiatives modelled with partners like Lifeline Australia and university extension programs at institutions such as the Charles Sturt University. Technical services encompass farm biosecurity planning, drought preparedness resources aligned with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting, and leadership development through regional Young Farmer chapters linked to networks such as the Rural Youth Organisation of New South Wales. Member services also provide insurance advice, legal templates referencing statutes in the Fair Work Ombudsman and animal welfare regulation, and market information drawing on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and commodity market reports.
The association runs public campaigns on issues including water allocation, rural mental health, and regional road safety, often coordinating with media outlets in Sydney and regional newspapers like the Land (New South Wales) and broadcasters such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Advocacy campaigns have featured public events during drought relief drives, policy forums with federal ministers from parties like the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Labor Party, and community outreach in agricultural shows such as the Royal Easter Show. Social media and stakeholder briefings link to research from think tanks including the Grattan Institute and the Menzies Research Centre when framing economic and social policy positions.
The association has faced criticism from environmental groups such as the Australian Conservation Foundation and from some irrigator groups over its positions on the Murray–Darling Basin allocations and water buybacks administered by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder. Debates have arisen over stewardship of native vegetation, tensions with regional Indigenous communities concerning land access, and disputes with unions represented by the Australian Council of Trade Unions on workplace standards. Internal debate over representation of smallholders versus large agribusiness has prompted commentary in outlets like the Sydney Morning Herald and policy scrutiny by federal inquiries such as those convened by the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia.
Category:Agricultural organisations based in Australia