TONY Burke says he is "sick to death" of Australian farmers being painted as "environmental vandals" and will next week tell how agriculture is critical to helping position Australia in the recovery from global recession.
The Minister for Agriculture will address farmers at the National Farmers Federation inaugural congress in Brisbane next week.
He told Rural Press this week that he will highlight how conservation work, through Government programs like Caring for our Country, was now part of "daily life for farmers".
Mr Burke said he wants to make absolutely clear to farmers at the congress where agriculture fits into the current global recession.
He said the work done over many decades to increase productivity and set up agriculture well and positioned the sector to support jobs during the global downturn.
He said further investments in rural research and development, efficiencies and market access had also helped to "build a foundation" which enabled agriculture to play a critical part in on Australia's path to economic recovery.
Farmers will next week have their chance to help the National Farmers' Federation debate and develop policy on the big issues facing agriculture at the two-day congress, starting on Monday.
NFF president, David Crombie, says the conference theme largely focused on food production and Australia's role in that, with sessions dedicated to climate change, water reform, genetically modified crops, consumer perceptions about agriculture and the shifts in demand for food, and the implications from all these issues on modern-day farming.
"It's important farmers be part of these high level discussions to debate what all this means for farming in Australia and to understand what the implications will be for farmers," Mr Crombie said.
"The congress is looking at the opportunities these issues present to Australian agriculture head on.
"These are looking at the big issues beyond the farm gate.
"These are not academic debates, we're looking at where our futures lie."
Mr Crombie said the debates and discussions will most definitely help define future NFF policy.
"We'd like the speakers to be a bit provocative and throw ideas out there. We'd like to see responses from farmers and others attending.
"These are the areas where NFF policy is important.
"We're looking forward to the conversation around these big issues."
Other speakers include former NFF president, Peter Corish, on the implications for farmers from current water reform.
Meat and Livestock Australia's David Thomason will speak on consumer-conscious farming, while Elders Rural Services boss, John Molenaar, will look at new hedging and marketplace strategies in a session on modern technology and business tools.
* There are still some spots available to register to attend the NFF Congress.
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