AgForce Queensland has used the final day of its ’30 Issues in 30 Days’ campaign to reveal it regards as the single most important issue facing agriculture.

AgForce General President, Ian Burnett, said the issue did not criticise Government legislation, did not call for greater agreement with trade partners, did not centre on research and development and did not urge economic reform.  However, what it did do was show the important role primary producers play in the lives of every Australian, every day.

“On the final day of the ’30 Issues, 30 Days’ initiative I am happy to reveal ‘Every Family Needs a Farmer’ as the most important of the 30 issues identified by AgForce over the course of the last month,” Mr Burnett said.

“Some of these issues have been highly political, some highly scientific, some economic but this one is at heart of the success of our industry.

“We need Australians to recognise the important role our farmers play in providing food and clothing to our nation and to the world and to contributing to society and the economy.”

Mr Burnett said, after 29 days of identifying some difficult policies and challenges plaguing industry, he was proud to assure the community of primary producers’ lifelong commitment to providing the world’s safest and best quality product.

This commitment is demonstrated by key industry figures:

• There are approximately 134,000 farm businesses in Australia, 99 per cent of which are Australian owned;

• Each Australian farmer produces enough good to feed 600 people, 150 at home and 450 overseas;

• Australian farmers produce almost 93pc of Australia’s daily domestic food supply;

• The agricultural sector, at farm-gate, contributes three percent to Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP).  However, once value-added and including the value of all of the economic activities supporting agricultural production, the contribution to GDP is 12pc;

• The gross value of Australian farm production in 2009-10 was $48.7 billion;

• Australian farmers export around 60pc of what they grow and produce;

• Australia’s farm exports earned the country $32.5 billion in 2010-11 while the wide agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors earn the country $36.2 billion in exports.

“Farming is not always the easiest job,” Mr Burnett said.

“There are droughts, there are floods, there is a high Australian dollar and low prices.

“But there are also good times and the satisfaction of knowing you are producing something that is helping your country to survive and grow.

“Most farmers I know wouldn’t have it any other way.”

AgForce's 30 issues in 30 days campaign is designed to draw the attention of decision makers to 30 of the most important issues impacting on the rural sector as Australia moves towards a Federal Election. For more information, and to view videos on key issues, click here