Comments attributable to NFF President David Jochinke
The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Farmers’ Federation (NFF) recognises today’s release of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Statement on Animal Welfare, agreed upon by all agricultural ministers, saying it can be the catalyst to rebuild trust with farmers on animal welfare policy.
Animal welfare is fundamental to farmers. As stewards of farm animals, farmers care deeply about their livestock and take pride in being global leaders in the animal welfare space.
The NFF remains committed to collaborating with its members, governments, and other stakeholders to continuously improve animal welfare outcomes, ensuring Australian farmers retain their world-leading reputation.
We must acknowledge that farmers’ trust in government agendas on animal welfare policy has been eroded. This is largely due to the growing influence of extreme animal activist groups who lack understanding of livestock systems and fail to engage constructively with the industry.
Today’s announcement presents an opportunity for governments to rebuild trust with farmers. To achieve meaningful improvements, animal welfare policies must be based on evidence, science, and developed in collaboration with farmers, who work with animals every day. We welcome the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Statement’s Vision which recognises this fact.
The NFF shares governments’ commitment to promote best practice, showcase good outcomes and foster ongoing, transparent dialogue with the community. Building trust and transparency is a cornerstone of the NFF’s 2030 Roadmap to grow Australian agriculture into a $100 billion sector.
The NFF welcomes recognition of the need to implement a coordinated approach to animal welfare research and extension activities. Australian farmers, through industry levies, have invested millions into initiatives to improve animal welfare outcomes.
We reiterate that any efforts to enhance animal welfare must be grounded in unbiased, current, evidence-based science and guided by practical industry expertise.
A collaborative approach between industry and government is essential for driving continuous improvement. The Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS), currently under development, is a critical platform for achieving this goal.
