General News
28 March, 2024
Local farmer leads business, transport committee
GARVOC dairy farmer Daniel Meade has been named among the new leaders driving the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) cross-industry policy and advocacy for the next two years.
Mr Meade, a current Moyne Shire councillor and former mayor, takes on the newly formed Farm Business and Transport Committee.
The committee looks at issues including state taxation, local government rates, competition, transport and freight.
He was previously chair of the stand-alone Farm Business committee.
VFF horticulture vice president and Tourello potato farmer Katherine Myers will be the chair of the Planning, Environment and Climate Change Committee.
Mrs Myers has been an advocate for her fellow farmers dealing with the impact of renewable energy and transmission development on agricultural land.
She takes over from long standing Committee chair Gerry Leach, who was awarded VFF life membership last year.
Murrabit dairy farmer Andrew Leahy remains as chair of the VFF Water Council, while VFF horticulture president Nathan Free leads the Workforce and Social Policy Committee.
VFF vice president Danyel Cucinotta continues to lead the Farming Systems Committee, which is dedicated to responding to the Victorian Government’s new animal welfare legislation amongst other issues.
VFF president Emma Germano said the new appointments to the VFF’s Issues Advisory Committees play a key role in helping to shape guide the VFF’s policy direction on a wide range of farming issues.
“It’s fantastic to welcome such experienced and knowledgeable advocates for agriculture and our regional communities. Their specialist knowledge and skills will help us tackle the policy issues that impact every farmer in Victoria,” she said.
“The VFF’s issues advisory committees play an important role in providing expert advice on policy and do the hard work to help Victorian farmers to grapple with policy challenges.
“I am excited to be working with a team of experienced and knowledgeable farmers who are dedicated to protecting the right to farm and our natural environment.
“There are significant challenges on the horizon as we see a lack of investment in regional infrastructure and increased costs on business, with the government’s proposed tax on truck at the Port of Melbourne a particular concern that we will be fighting.”
Ms Germano said there was still spaces on the committee for VFF members to join and would encourage anyone interested to get in touch with the VFF.