MALLEE farmers need confidence in fertiliser prices and domestic supply to feed our nation and the world, particularly after the rollercoaster of the past few years.
The COVID-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine War and other logistical issues sent global fertiliser prices to historic highs.
Across 2021 the average Free on Board (FOB) price of Australian fertiliser imports rose by 128 per cent, from $380 per tonne to $867 per tonne, as farmers know all too well from the local prices they paid.
While fertiliser prices have steadied, a new threat looms as ASX-listed Incitec Pivot proposes divesting its fertiliser business valued at over $1 billion. The potential of a foreign entity buying the business will raise eyebrows about domestic supplies and in turn food security.
The Treasurer has the power to reject a sale if it is not in the national interest. The deal should be rejected or modified if the Incitec Pivot sale doesn’t protect Australia’s supply chains and has negative outcomes for farmers and food security.
Regrettably, the Albanese Labor Government has poor form, repeatedly abandoning or taking advantage of Australia’s farmers.
Labor let farmers down with their biosecurity tax slapped on farmers for the risks imposed by their international competitors. Labor is attacking farmers by reinstating buybacks to take water out of irrigation communities, despite the Victorian Government’s opposition.
Labor’s railroading of farmers to run 400 kilometres of huge transmission lines through their farms has become notorious.
Labor is also failing to ensure the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority act swiftly enough to protect crops.
The APVMA’s indecision on approving 50 gram per kilogram zinc phosphate mouse bait is highly risky as seeding and cropping season looms.
The same dosage was approved until November and Grains Producers Australia and I are advocating for the bait’s continued use.
The Nationals continue to crack the whip on lazy Labor, but a return to a Coalition government cannot come soon enough for farmers and food security.
