YOUNG cane farmers and professionals will meet in Palm Cove this March to discuss how they will be able work with peak industry bodies and the newly elected Queensland Government in the future.
Next Gen Chairman, Don Murday, outlined his eagerness to engage with the new government and its ministers as soon as possible.
“We have already invited the new Minister for Agriculture, Bill Byrne, to attend and officially open the Case IH Step UP! Conference,” Mr Murday said.
“We hope he will be able to come as it will be a perfect opportunity for the up and coming generation to meet the minister and understand what the new government will offer to their industry,” he said.
“There were a number of concerns in the sugar industry that had been on hold until an outcome of the election could be confirmed.
“Now that we have a result, it is imperative that we encourage our next generation to engage with the new Government.”
Mr Murday said that although it would not be formally discussed at the conference in March, one issue includes the marketing of raw sugar in Queensland.
“The issue has been a contentious one over the past year, with the industry’s farmers locked in a battle to hold onto transparency of the marketing of their sugar.
“We are unclear on where Labor stands on the future of raw sugar marketing in Queensland so this will be at the top of the agenda with Ms Palaszczuk and the new Mr Byrne.
“It is vital that they fully understand the complexities of the issue and appreciate the urgency needed to come to a resolution which is fair to all parties.
Mr Murday added that the industry has also been plagued by ever increasing input costs including electricity prices and land rates.
“Colossal electricity prices which are crippling farmers in irrigation areas, will also be high on our list to address with the new government and ACFA will continue to support the industry campaign for energy prices to be reduced by 33 per cent.
“We will also engage with Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Jackie Trad, in regards to extreme imbalance of land rates throughout sugar regions in Queensland. Our investigations indicate that regions adjacent to smaller urban centres are rated far higher than those adjacent to larger communities.”
Mr Murday said the industry’s best management practice (BMP), Smartcane BMP, is also vital to ensuring the sustainable future of the industry and called on Labor to ensure that the agreement with the past government is honored and funding continued.
Case IH Step UP! will be an opportunity for young and established cane professionals to lead the conversation about innovation, sustainability and profitability in the Australian sugar industry.
To book a place at the Case IH Step UP! Conference visit www.netgenstepup.com or contact Amanda Sheppard on (07) 3839 1900.