The growing push for a more united horticulture sector could see the National Farmers’ Federation take a lead role alongside some of the industry’s heaviest hitters.
The NFF has proposed a horticulture members’ council — potentially to sit within the NFF — in a bid to get the sector’s 40-odd lobby groups working together more closely.
It has sparked the interest of lobby group AusVeg — which The Weekly Times reported is considering joining the NFF.
NFF chief executive Tony Mahar said the peak farming lobby — which has two horticulture groups, Dried Fruits and Summerfruits Australia, on its membership ledger — wanted better horticultural representation in the NFF.
“We’re not precious about how that looks. We just think there’s a way to work more closely together,” he said.
“Whether we work with them or get direct membership ... there’s real opportunities to work more closely with the sector.”
Source: weeklytimesnow.com.au