The state's peak farm body has welcomed news that an Independent Agriculture Commissioner for NSW is on the way as farmers fight for a fairer future.
Today NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty announced legislation would be introduced in September to appoint an Independent Agriculture Commissioner for the state, who will provide expert advice on strategic agricultural land use as well as other issues relating to agriculture.
The announcement comes as farmers face significant land use conflicts on a number of fronts, which NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said must firmly on the agenda for the new Commissioner.
"As demand for more housing, more wind complexes, more solar panels and more industrial space increases, farmers have faced the prospect of their most productive agricultural land being taken away," Mr Martin said.
"Without the land and water they need to grow food, more farmers will be forced out of business - and as a result, putting food on the table will get a lot harder, and more expensive, for the average Australian family."
The appointment of a legislated, Independent Agriculture Commissioner for NSW was a key pre-election promise of the state government back in 2022, and Mr Martin thanked Premier Chris Minns and Minister Moriarty for keeping their word.
"Over the past 30 years, Australia has lost more than 15 per cent of its productive farmland - and so now has never been a more critical time to focus on land use pressures," Mr Martin said.
"The appointment of an Independent Agriculture Commissioner for NSW is a positive step towards a fairer future for our farmers, as they battle threats to their right to farm on all fronts.
"We hope to be able to engage with this new Independent Commissioner directly to advocate for more strategic land use in NSW moving forward, and enable our farmers to keep producing the food and fibre our growing population needs."
