FEDERAL politicians tasted Australia’s best farm produce but also sampled a dose of Mother Nature’s ill-timed interventions, when it rained on the Australian Parliament Farmers’ Market held on Wednesday at Parliament House in Canberra.
The event was an initiative between the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers.
It went ahead and showcased a diverse range of food and fibre products despite the untimely rain forcing a late rush of umbrella purchases.
The various product displays included beef, grains, dairy, forestry, horticulture, seafood, pork, rice, cider and other beverages, honey, dried fruits, wool and cotton.
Victorian Labor MP Richard Marles cooks up a storm. Click on the image to see a gallery of photos from the event.
Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers co-convenor and WA Liberal MP Nola Marino said the event helped to educate parliamentarians about food production.
She believed the inaugural event would also grow and become bigger, in future years.
“We want to make sure that the members of parliament understand the connection between who grows their food and the food that they’re eating,” she said.
“If you’re out there enjoying some of the wonderful produce, you need to know that it’s grown and produced by Australian farmers.”
Shadow Agriculture Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said it was important to raise the profile of Australian agriculture in parliament and reinforce the connection between our farming community and food.
But the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers co-convenor said the Farmers’ Market at Parliament House day was not just about food production – it was also about fibre products like wool and cotton.
NFF CEO Simon Talbot thanked parliamentarians for attending the event that aimed to promote Australian agriculture.
He said the farm sector was on the cusp of a “boom” and was currently valued at $57 billion and growing at 8 per cent.
“We have to continue the bipartisan approach,” he said.
Sanger Australia CEO James Campbell said his company was part of the Bindaree Beef Group and participated in the promotion to showcase their brands to the nation’s political leaders.
He said Bindaree also saw expanding trade opportunities for Australian beef in export markets like China, having recently signed a deal that gave China's fourth-largest pork processor, Shandong Delisi Food Co, a 45pc stake in his company, valued at $140 million.
“We see that Australian agriculture has a very bright future,” he said.
“The Free Trade Agreement with China is an essential tool that was negotiated by government but will be executed by business.
“From Bindaree’s perspective we’re technically invested in China (following the Shangdong deal) and that’s a strong commitment for our business and to achieve greater synergies over time.”
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said at the event his group was “showing off” the successful new partnership between retail giant Target and the nation’s cotton growers.
He said the outcome of that partnership was the creation of a range of products including business shirts and t-shirts made from 100pc Australian cotton.
Australian Dairy Farmers and Dairy Australia showcased a range of products including Australian Grand Dairy Award winning cheeses and Sharma’s Kitchen flavoured milk.
ADF President, Noel Campbell said the event was an important opportunity to establish stronger ties with decision makers and to demonstrate that supportive policy can provide farmers’ confidence to invest in best practice initiatives and for the wider industry to invest in a strong future.
“We want to ensure every Member of Parliament understands the challenges and opportunities facing our primary food producers,” he said.
“We are working to invest in ourselves - but it is not just up to us.
“Industry and government must work together to ensure Australian agriculture reaches its full potential.”
Farmers’ Market contributors included Australian Dairy Farmers; Australian Forest Products Association; Australian Pork Limited; Australian Wool Innovation; Batlow Cider Co; Beechworth Honey; Bindaree Beef; The Brewers Association of Australia & New Zealand; Cattle Council of Australia; The Cheeky Grog Co; Cotton Australia; Dried Fruits Australia; GrainGrowers Limited; Hillbilly Blue Mountains Apple & Pear Cider; Meat & Livestock Australia; NSW Farmers Association; Ricegrowers Association of Australia; SunRice; Sanger Australia; Summerfruit Australia; Target Australia; Victorian Farmers’ Federation; Victorian Farmers’ Market Association and WoolProducers Australia.
