10 Things to Know from QFF

1. CANEGROWERS have joined forces with the National Farmers’ Federation, GrainGrowers, and Australian Sugar Manufacturers to urge the Australian Government to introduce an immediate national mandate for ethanol and biodiesel to bolster fuel security, support regional jobs and unlock new value-adding opportunities for Australian agriculture. Read more here.
   
2. QFF Corporate Partner Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise have warned that without Inland Rail, increasing freight volumes will be forced onto roads that are already operating near capacity, and have called on the Federal Government to urgently invest in alternative freight infrastructure if the project is not to proceed. Read more here.
   
3. Camp Cotton has returned to the Namoi Valley connecting international brands with Australian cotton growers, showing how Australian cotton is grown and the research, innovation and sustainability practices behind the industry. Read more here.
   
4. QFF’s Industry Recovery and Resilience Officers will be attending a Bushfire Preparedness and Disaster Resilience Workshop in Maidenwell on Tuesday, 9 June. Primary producers are invited to attend the free workshop to help you prepare your property for fire season. Register here.
   
5. Global attention on the vulnerability of food supply chains has inspired a paddock-to-plate revival for farmers and shoppers, with Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) CEO Scott Kompo-Harms saying while the model isn’t always an option it can provide a great opportunity to educate consumers. Read more here.
   
6. The EISL is a free phone service for farmers and landholders in Queensland and can assist by providing up to date and accurate information on a range of energy matters. The free phone service is available from Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm. Call 07 3329 7500 or visit the project page to learn more.
   
7. The Fire Ant Ready Program is an industry support initiative delivered by Greenlife Industry Queensland (GIQ). The program provides practical guidance, tools, and mentoring to help nursery businesses understand and meet fire ant biosecurity requirements. Read more about the program here.
   
8. The Australian Government has introduced a new clean energy Developer Rating Scheme to assist in providing landholders and communities with greater transparency and confidence about companies that propose new energy infrastructure in their area. Read more here.
   
9. 40 new biosecurity officers have been recruited across Queensland. The officers are stationed in 21 locations across the State from Bamaga and Cairns in the north, to Nambour in the south and as far west as Charleville. Read more here.
   
10. The National Farmers’ Federation have welcomed the Federal Government’s $10 billion Australian Fuel Security and Resilience package which will increase the Minimum Stockholding Obligation by 10 days. Read more here.