Senator Fiona Nash

Nash calls for action to address country-city divide

A senate hearing on live cattle exports highlighted the need to address the city-country divide, Nationals Senator Fiona Nash said.

The hearing in Darwin was part of the Rural Affairs and Transport senate committee inquiry into animal welfare standards in Australia’s live export markets.

It heard the Gillard government’s suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia has had far reaching impacts on farmers, the industry, businesses and communities.

“The Gillard government was more interested in appeasing city based critics and animal welfare groups for political reasons, than sensibly addressing welfare concerns,” Senator Nash said.

“There are big concerns about jobs losses and the ability to rebuild the workforce once the industry recovers. We were told this could take years.

“Stress, anxiety and depression levels are also very high. We heard there are many families who have no income to pay bills and are hanging on financially through the goodwill of banks. Some are being harassed by debt collectors.”

Senator Nash called for a campaign to educate city people about agriculture, its significance to the economy, and where their produce comes from.

“There is no doubt that there is a simplistic view without thought of the ramifications,” she said.

“Lobbying to shut down the live cattle industry is an example. It’s putting people’s livelihoods at risk and threatens the welfare of cattle as farmers struggle to afford the cost of feeding and watering them. I’d like to know if the RSPCA, Animals Australia and their members have offered to help,” she said.

“There needs to be greater respect for farmers. Where else does fresh produce come from? Certainly not the supermarkets.

“Something must be done to seriously address the disconnect between city and country people.”

 

Comments

# Alison

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 7:51 AM

Fiona

I heard the supplement regarding above post on the radio this week and couldn't agree more.

We are trying to do something to help the cause, we instigated a blogsite earlier this year that follows the life of a 4 year old on an operating farm. After sending several hundred emails to public infant/primary schools in Sydney metro and coastal regions we have gained some exposure. During Term 2 we had up to 20 schools following the blog on a weekly basis. Our greatest advocate at present is a preschool in Brookvale which have converted their classroom to a farm, they have now been learning about farms for 9 weeks, they have embraced the concept just as we had hoped. To date we have had over 4500 page views. I would love your thought on our cause. (www.ktsfarmlife.blogspot.com)

Next year, Year of the Farmer, we are going to hit schools again as perhaps it can be incorporated more easily into curriculum.

FARM DAY.....no doubt you have heard of this....check out their website ( www.farmday.com.au) or their facebook page. I would really love to think NSW could foster a better adoption of this great concept in 2012. Perhaps you have some thoughts on getting this out there further!

Regards the Rutledges

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# Fiona Nash

Wednesday, January 04, 2012 11:30 AM

Thanks for your comments Alison.

Senator Nash will be very interested to read your blog site and would be interested to hear of your plans for the Year of the Farmer.

Is it possible to get your contact details?

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