Dairy NewS AUSTRALIA december, 2012 opinionâ€‚ // 17 Consumers need better understanding of farm costs WHEN compared to Australian agricultural practices, there are some poor track records in other parts of the world with both crop production and the treatment of animals. An example of this was broadcast onÂ Four CornersÂ last month with the exceptional circumstances surrounding the recent slaughter of Australian sheep in Pakistan. While Australian farmers are shocked by the thought of their animals being slaughtered in this way, itâ€™s necessary to understand the complexity of this situation before responding in an emotive or hasty manner. Recent events highlight the role that Australia has to play as a leader of agricultural best practice, the role of Australian consumers and government in supporting our farmers, and the potential role of Australia as a food bowl for Asia. Unfortunately, standards of agricultural practice in many countries, when compared to Australia, are often lower for many reasons: cultural, socio-economic, education levels, and even climate. A further reality is that the world has billions of people malnourished and living on a few dollars a day. Current food supply chains are already failing to keep pace with demand and therefore they should not be undermined unnecessarily. It is not Australiaâ€™s place to change the thinking of billions of people when it comes to farming practices, nor is it our place to change or even make judgements about their culture. However, we can work on ensuring our supply chains operate to the best possible standard being a world leader in the production and delivery systems of our industries. For animal liberation groups such as Animals Australia, which released the vision of the sheep that had arrived in Pakistan as a result of a regrettable and unique set of circumstances, the answer would be to shut down the live export trade, just as they seem to want the virtual shutdown of domestic industries such as chicken meat, dairy, eggs, and pork. It is a misguided and ideological crusade that ignores the reality of the situation and seeks to see some in the community make presumptions on behalf of all consumers. Surely it is far better to be engaged with developing countries, continuing the good work we are already doing when it comes to live export, which exceeds that of any other country. Joanne grainger Australian farmers have been told repeatedly in recent years â€“ and more often in the last fortnight â€“ that they have a very important role to play in being a food bowl of Asia. In that context, theÂ Four CornersÂ episode actually highlights the need for us to continue the live export trade and to make improvements where we can, just as it underscores the importance of the entire Australian agricultural system. Asia has a rapidly growing population and demand for food; and Australia has truly excellent farming practices that can help meet this demand. Shutting our borders or closing industries would achieve two possible outcomes: see people in foreign countries deprived of food; or see their food sourced from areas not operating to Australian standards. The result may no longer draw the attention of animal liberation groups, but the issues would still be there, and could be even worse. The more pragmatic alternative is to stay engaged and keep working on these issues where we can, and as we are already doing. Finally, we need Australian consumers to have a greater understanding of the impact of their purchasing practices, knowing that buying Australian grown food and fibre is one of the best ways they can contributable to best practice and sustainable agriculture. Currently, it is too easy for arm chair activists to be critical of these issues but then fail to back-up their action. They purchase cheap imported food at the supermarket, or even $1/litre milk, which does not reflect the real value of the product. Australian consumers need to understand the costs that come with producing high quality food and fibre to world standard. Farm wages in Australia can easily be 200 times that of developing countries, not to mention all other input costs and investments made in the Australian farming system. One of the best outcomes of this current situation is for a greater understanding from consumers regarding where their food and fibre comes from, and the myriad of costs that go into producing it to worldâ€™s best practice. â€˘ Joanne Grainger is president of the Queensland Farmers Federation. CHECK OUT THE LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION AT www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au Arm chair activists can be critical of Australian production practices but then purchase cheap imported food or $1/litre milk. ,6 <285 ())/8(17 321' $6 )8// $6 <285 %$1. 0$1$*(5â€™6 :$//(7" )5(( 4827(6 :,7+ 12 2%/,*$7,21 ,6 <285 )((' 3$' *,9,1* <28 67,1. (<(" 0$.( <285 &2:6 322 :25. )25 <28 7851 <285 :$67( ,172 )2''(5 7+$7â€™6 0,/. ,1 7+( 9$7 0$185( &203267 ())/8(17 635($',1* 48$/,7< 3,* 0$185( &203267 $9$,/$%/( 0$185( 25 ())/8(17 7(67 ,1&/8'(' :,7+ (9(5< &/($1287 &21',7,216 $33/< _ 3K -D\ RQ 0429 629 627 _ 0LFKHOOH RQ 0400 303 686 _

Dairy News Australia Dec 2012