Backlash: VFF presidents demand halt to constitutional change

The Victorian Farmers Federation’s commodity presidents want to halt constitutional changes they say “remove members’ rights”.

Former VFF grains group presidents Brett Hosking and Andrew Weidemann are leading a campaign to oust sitting VFF president Emma Germano as a director. Picture: Zoe Phillips

The Victorian Farmers Federation’s dairy, grains, livestock, pig and egg group presidents have called for a halt to constitutional changes to the lobby group, which they say “removes members’ rights” and imposes a top-down model of control.

The call follows the resignation of three VFF directors last month, the formation of a break-away dairy lobby and the launch of a grain-grower led campaign to oust VFF president Emma Germano and her vice-president Danyel Cuccinotta as directors.

Commodity presidents have written a joint letter to Ms Germano stating “the VFF is going through a lot of turmoil”.

“Members are showing that they do not have confidence in the current leadership. So, this is not a time to make major change – especially when that change includes the removal of the branch structure and the removal of commodity powers,” the letter read.

But Ms Germano wrote back stating “the turmoil alluded to in your correspondence has arisen as a result of us seeking to create an opportunity for all members to discuss and consult on the future of the VFF”.

“The board has exposed historical failings of the VFF and is now giving members the opportunity to understand these issues. Accordingly, the board is seeking feedback about how the VFF becomes a sustainable and professional advocacy organisation to meet the needs of Victorian farmers.”