The three ‘Fs’ are main concerns at local farmer meetings

Story: Kristin Murdock and Nathan Filmer

Farmers across the Outback are grappling with a consistent set of pressures, with firearms, fuel and fertiliser emerging as the key issues raised at recent local branch meetings. Finance could be fourth ‘big f’ if these other problems persist.

Xavier Martin, President of NSW Farmers, was out in the back blocks last week, and said strong attendance at meetings in Lightning Ridge, Bourke, Brewarrina, Wilcannia, and Cobar reflected the level of concern among producers.

“We are out to listen and deal with the issues that are impacting farmers across the western division,” Mr Martin said. “The three Fs – firearms, fuel and fertiliser were what stood out.”

Beyond those statewide concerns, he said western division meetings are increasingly focused on land use changes, particularly the expansion of national parks.

“But particular issues in the western division are around this confiscation, effectively using taxpayer dollars to confiscate Western Lands leases for national parks,” he said.

“We’re now seeing multiple western lands leases taken up as national parks.” […]

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ShNSW Farmers president Xavier Martin amonst the Mulga near Byrock last week. Photo contributed