AusVeg quits the National Farmers’ Federation

A key industry body for Australia’s vegetable growers has announced its shock resignation from the National Farmers’ Federation horticulture council.

The peak body for vegetable growers is quitting the National Farmers’ Federation horticulture council, effective immediately.

AUSVEG on Friday confirmed it would not be renewing its membership to the council, as part of an assessment of memberships and strategic direction.

AUSVEG spoke to both the NFF president and chief executive prior to providing formal written notification.

The decision by the vegetable growers body – representing vegetable, potato, and onion growers – comes mere months after the Victorian Farmers Federation also quit the national farming body.

In a letter to the NFF horticulture council, AUSVEG chief executive Michael Coote said the decision not to renew membership came during “the routine annual assessment of our numerous industry memberships”.

AUSVEG chief executive Michael Coote wrote in a letter to the National Farmers Federation the industry body will not continue its membership with the horticulture council. Picture: Supplied

“The scale and scope of the many specific challenges confronting Australia’s vegetable industry means our finite resources must be devoted to our primary role of advocating directly in the interests of the vegetable, potato and onion growers we represent,” Mr Coote said.

“The decision also provides us with more direct oversight of the commitments we seek from government on behalf of our industry, and how we go about achieving these.

“AUSVEG remains deeply committed to its advocacy on the core issues confronting the vegetable, potato and onion growers we represent, and to ensuring our growers receive maximum value and results from our advocacy efforts.”

NFF horticulture council chair Jolyon Burnett confirmed AUSVEG had articulated in a letter its decision to not renew with the council.

“We haven’t had a chance to talk to them about their reasons,” Mr Burnett said.

“The membership is a financial year members. In their letter they say that they’re standing down from the council effective immediately.”