- Farm invaders could be hit with fines of $652.75 as the Palaszczuk Government moves to amend the Biosecurity Regulation 2016 – QFF views this as a welcome start, but more is needed to provide adequate protections for farmers’ businesses, their homes and deter this inappropriate behaviour. Read the statement from Qld Agriculture Minister, Mark Furner HERE.
- Meanwhile, Federal Attorney General Christian Porter and Agriculture Minister David Littleproud have announced a re-elected Morrison Government will introduce new criminal penalties designed specifically to protect farmers and primary producers from the unlawful actions of animal activists. Read their joint statement HERE.
RSPCA Qld has also backed tougher penalties for activists who target farmers. Read their statement HERE. - There was plenty of support for agriculture in the budget, but solutions were lacking. Read QFF CEO, Travis Tobins’ take in the Queensland Country Life column HERE.
- QFF is looking for action from both sides of politics on increasing input costs this election. Rising energy, water, regulatory and labour costs are affecting our competitiveness internationally. Listen to QFF Deputy CEO, Dr Georgina Davis talk to Rural Queensland Today about the implications of the budget and upcoming election. Listen HERE.
- Looking to start your career in Agriculture? Or know someone who is? QFF is again seeking applications for the Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program. There are six exciting positions to choose from across the Great Barrier Reef catchments so click HEREto find out more.
- The Federal Government has released and responded to the Independent Assessment of the 2018-19 fish deaths in the lower Darling’ (the Vertessy report). The Vertessy report makes 27 recommendations centred around expanding research, providing better system connectivity and better compliance. Read QFF’s media release HEREand the full Vertessy report HERE.
- With Citizen Science Dayover the weekend, people with an interest in science should consider the first applied science – agriculture. Check out some of the career opportunities in the ‘Your Career in Agriculture’ video put together by the Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance.
- Applications for the 2020 Nuffield Scholarships: Global research program for Australian Primary Producers are now open. There are more than 25 Nuffield Scholarships on offer, each valued at $30,000. The application period will run from 1 April – 14 June and focus on the 2019 theme of Collaborate, Innovate and Cultivate. Find out more about how to apply HERE.
- The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has cleared New South Wales irrigators who were accused of illegal pumping during an embargo that was put in place after recent rain. Initial investigations had not identified any breaches and found people had acted in accordance with their licence conditions. Read the full ABC Rural story HERE.
- Can you put the ‘pro’ in protein? Are animal and plant proteins the same? Take this CSIRO Quiz to find out!
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