Blueprint forum follows Ag White Paper announcement

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) will this week host its second Blueprint for Australian Agriculture forum, bringing together 130 key industry leaders and decision makers to progress the Blueprint, making key decisions for the future of the agricultural sector and its supply chain.
The Forum comes following yesterday’s announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, of the terms of reference for the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper – a central election commitment of the Coalition Government.
NFF CEO Matt Linnegar welcomed the Minister’s announcement, given this week’s Blueprint forum.
“Minister Joyce has confirmed that the Federal Government’s White Paper will build on the Blueprint for Australian Agriculture – cementing its importance as a key visioning document and strategic plan for the sector,” Mr Linnegar said.
“On Thursday, key industry leaders from across agriculture and its supply chain will again meet in Canberra to drive the Blueprint forward – and the competitiveness of the sector is one of the key items on the agenda.
“And this competitiveness means a focus on both farmer profitability and the farm and wider sector’s productivity – as we must ensure that our farmers are not only producing more food and fibre to meet growing world demand, but are doing so in a way that makes them, and the wider sector, more profitable and sustainable.
“Agriculture is an incredibly important part of our national economy, and our society, so it’s very pleasing to see the Government reinforce its commitment to make agriculture one of the five central pillars of its policy focus by commencing this White Paper process. Critically though, for the sector to benefit from this process, real action has to occur.
“In the past 12 months, the agricultural sector has worked together to develop the NFF-led, industry-developed Blueprint for Australian Agriculture. The sector continues to work together to turn the Blueprint findings into reality. Farmers understandably want to see real, tangible action that contributes to a strong and sustainable future: exactly what we’re delivering through the Blueprint, but also what must be delivered by the Government through their White Paper,” Mr Linnegar said.
The NFF Blueprint for Australian Agriculture forum will take place in Canberra on Thursday 12 December. The NFF will also be making a formal submission to the White Paper process.