Cotton Australia Chair Liz Stott and CEO Adam Kay attended the 45th National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Members Council meeting this week, where key governance changes, funding discussions and major policy positions were considered.

The meeting was preceded by a Special General Meeting that endorsed constitutional changes aimed at streamlining NFF membership categories. The NFF board is also in discussion with members about a new fee model for the organisation.

Supply chain disruption was a key focus, with Members Council endorsing a set of current industry asks in response to ongoing fuel and fertiliser supply pressures affecting agriculture.

The endorsed asks are:

1. An agriculture-specific plan to secure fuel and fertiliser supply for farmers and fishers, including clear trigger points for government-escalated action to safeguard food production in the short and medium term, and improved coordination across jurisdictions and commodities. 
2. Continued use of regulatory tools by government to increase the supply of fuel and fertiliser into regional areas. 
3. Inclusion of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as critical industries and services under the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984. 
4. Targeted small business support for farming businesses facing acute financial pressure. 

Members also considered international trade policy, with the Council not supporting ratification of the EU Free Trade Agreement in its current form.

In addition, members discussed capital gains tax settings and supported calls for the Federal Government to review and lift outdated small business CGT concession eligibility thresholds as legislation is introduced to Parliament. Read the NFF media release on CGT reforms.