New farmer permit allows border crossing

Border-closure

The VFF is aware that permit applications to travel further than 100km into New South Wales will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will monitor the impact of this condition on the farming community.

The Victorian Farmers Federation welcomes the announcement of the farmer permit called for last week to ensure the movement of people and products into parts of New South Wales.

The VFF and Australia’s farming groups have been holding emergency talks daily given the serious concerns about the impacts of border restrictions on the agricultural supply chain.

VFF President David Jochinke said Victorian agriculture contributes almost $40 billion to the Victorian economy.

“We don’t just farm for our respective states, we farm for Australia”

“We needed a common-sense approach so that we can continue to do our job which is to feed the nation.”

“I commend the tireless efforts of Minister Symes and the work being done behind the scenes to get this decision across the line today.”

The VFF is aware that permit applications to travel further than 100km into New South Wales will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will monitor the impact of this condition on the farming community.

“As worried as we were about the issues on the NSW border, we are now as equally concerned with the border in South Australia which is unworkable,” Mr Jochinke said.

“The South Australian Government should immediately look at what’s been introduced on the NSW border and adopt the same approach.

“The VFF will continue to discuss the border closure with both the Victorian and Federal Agriculture Ministers to seek a solution as we anticipate farmers will encounter the same issues we had in NSW.

“At the end of the day, it’s about feeding the nation and we can’t have farmers being choked by red tape.”