Agriculture and Food Manufacturing

Actions

Called on the government in Parliament to implement quickly recommendations from a report outlining the failures of the Farm Household Allowance program to struggling dairy farmers.
Lobbied for a Ministerial visit to Indi to meet with dairy farmers who have waited up to five months for emergency assistance through the Farm Household Allowance. Followed up the visit with calls to release the report, which was provided in February.

Represented Indi cattle producers concerns about the Bovine Johnes Disease (BJD) – Market Assurance Program to the Minister for Agriculture and calling on the Government to answer questions about the BJD review.

Highlighted innovation being used by local producers, stakeholders and related businesses in the sector in Indi at Public Hearing as part of Ag Innovation Inquiry, January 27-28, opening day in Wodonga. Cathy a member of Standing Committee on Agriculture and Industry lobbied for Public Hearing to be held in the North East
Raised agricultural concerns of Indi residents to Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, raised during Kitchen Table Conversations in 2015. Read the Minister's response
Represented concerns about animal welfare and live export breaches to the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP. Download the Minister’s latest response

Met with farmers and agribusiness consultants to discuss the House of Representatives Standing Committee Inquiry into agricultural innovation

Continued to represent Indi residents’ concerns about animal welfare and live export to the Minister for Agriculture the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP. Download the minister's response here
Questioned the Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce MP to provide answers to the following Question on Notice on SuperTrawlers. (Highlighted page 10)

Delivered the Australian Manufacturing & Farming Programme (AMFP) Forum 2015 in Wodonga to showcase Indi’s diversity of manufacturing, farming and food production industries.

Provided opportunities for manufacturers, farmers and food producers to discuss concerns with all levels of government at AMFP 2015.
Called on the Government to provide meaningful leadership and vision to support and grow agriculture, food manufacturing and related businesses

Worked with the community to provide feedback to the first round of the Government's Agriculture White Paper
Guest speaker at the CSU Agrifoods Opportunities Forum 2015 about the important role education providers will play in the future of agriculture in regional Australia.

Held a meeting with farmers, consultants, agriculture students and educators with representatives from CSIRO, to explore research opportunities and share knowledge in preparation for a larger agriculture / CSIRO public forum in Indi in 2015

Supported applications for funding for local organisations that help deliver sustainable and adaptive agriculture businesses, such as Landcare

Contributed to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Industry and encouraged community input into inquiries on food labeling and circumvention of anti-dumping laws

Raised a motion in the House to legalise industrial hemp for human consumption, with the independent Member for Dennison Andrew Wilkie

Lobbied for more investment to educate more agricultural professionals in regional Australia

Begun to meet with the range of stakeholders in water management, such as Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, to discuss how Indi can make better use of its water

Hosted a series of workshops with Indi food manufacturers to hear their issues and talk about where Government can help

Asked the Government to improve the measures to protect animal welfare in live exports