Animal activists, artificial intelligence and the next generation of agriculture were just some of the hot topics up for debate at the NSW Farmers’ Annual Conference today.
With delegates supporting a motion to introduce a first farm buyer’s scheme – similar to the first home buyer’s scheme – NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said it was clear young farmers were the key to a future with food security.
“First home buyers get support and so it’s only fair that the same is available to those buying their first farm too,” Mr Martin said.
“Our food security depends on our farmers – but if they can’t get their foot in the door of some farmland, and fast, we won’t have any left.”
Technology was also front and centre of the day’s debate, with farmers calling for new legal protections around artificial intelligence and farm data, as well as laws to ban anti-agriculture activists from publishing illegally-obtained images or details of farms online.
“Animal activists are threatening our homes, our businesses, and our biosecurity – and we simply cannot stand by and let this happen,” Mr Martin said.
“Meanwhile, technological breakthroughs like artificial intelligence, which are being built into agriculture at breakneck speed, could bring some big gains, but also big risks.
“We’re all too familiar with data breaches and cyber security concerns, and we need the regulation in place to protect our people and our environments from the very real data risks that AI technology already presents.”
Delegates also endorsed a ban on the transfer of waste from Sydney’s waste management facilities to rural areas, and supported a motion calling for greater scrutiny of the finances of local councils applying for special rate variations.
Other motions passed at today’s Conference included motions in support of:
• Restoring mobile coverage to pre-3G shutdown levels, at a minimum, in NSW
• Introducing dollar-for-dollar grants to fund feral pig control
• Boosting large-scale government investment to eradicate pests and weeds
• Introducing a legislated right to repair agricultural machinery
• Creating affordable insurance products for young farmers
• Removing emergency service levies and stamp duty from farm insurance policies
• Pausing the adoption of native vegetation regulatory maps until proven accurate.
Elections were also held for a number of Board positions, with Peter Wilson re-elected to serve as NSW Farmers’ Treasurer, and Glen Andreazza, Shane Kilby and David Young elected to the NSW Farmers’ Board.
Media Release: NSW Farmers
