Australian Farm Competiveness: A Representation and Lobbying Perspective

In: http://hdl.handle.net/1885/95423

Abstract

This report has two main purposes: the identification of what agricultural policy representatives and lobbyists recognise as the key factors that influence the competiveness of agriculture; and the identification of whether this industry viewpoint differs from that of the literature on the same topic. This study will provide substantial value to the National Farmers' Federation ('NFF'), as it will allow for the recognition of the alignment, or possible misalignment of perspectives, and may lead to more effective resource allocation materialised via more targeted lobbying pressure. The overall method used in this report was a broad review of the past literature coupled with in-depth interviews with key agricultural lobbyists responsible for both national and industry-level representation. The key findings of the report are: • There is a wide range of factors that both the literature and agricultural representatives perceive to be key influences on the competiveness of Australian agriculture. • All perspectives agreed on the following factors being salient influences on competiveness: Level and Rate of On-farm Innovation, Manager Expertise, Research, Development & Extension Investment, Regulatory Burden and Drought and Broader Climate Variability • There was little difference between the perspectives of the literature and that of the sector representatives. • The case studies revealed unique issues that the industry representatives interviewed believe impact their competiveness. These include: o The Dried Fruit Industry: Inadequate Succession planning Support, Agricultural Lobbying Effectiveness, The Importance of Agriculture to Government, Marketing Levy Free-riding and Product Dumping o The Beef Industry: Labour Issues and Speed of Market Change Based on these findings the report has made the following key recommendations to the National Farmers' Federation: • That the NFF undertake a broader investigation into the factors that all of its member organisations, which make up the vast majority of agricultural industries in Australia, believe most impact their competiveness. • That NFF place importance in recognising the interrelationship of many of the factors that impact competiveness and direct policy pressure accordingly. • That NFF direct policy resources to the areas identified by all perspectives as being key influences of competiveness