CANBERRA, Sept 10 (Askume) – Hundreds of farmers across Australia protested on Tuesday against government agricultural policies they say are harming environmental and animal welfare activists and damaging their livelihoods.
Australia is one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters and farmers across the country are angry with the left-wing Labor government .It calls for a ban on the export of live sheep , limiting water use and accelerating renewable energy and transmission in rural areas.
“We deserve respect,” National Farmers Federation (NFF) president David Jochinke said, addressing a crowd gathered on the front lawn of the Australian federal parliament in Canberra.
“There are a lot of different voices united against us. We don’t think they should be setting policy,” he said. “We feel we’ve been betrayed.”
The government did not send any representatives to the rally. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins told the ABC the government was committed to listening to farmers and helping them by increasing access to overseas markets and investing in biosecurity.
The NFF said it was the first national farmers’ rally in the capital since the 1980s, with more than 2,000 people taking part.
The protests are part of a wave of unrest in Europe and elsewhere over the imposition of environmental regulations by governments, which farmers say have burdened them with red tape, higher costs and limited their ability to farm.
“Our message is clear: talk to us,” Jochink said.
Australia holds a federal election next May, and agricultural lobby leaders say they will try to unseat Labor by raising money and targeting marginal seats.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told a rally that he would lift a ban on live sheep exports, and an opposition agriculture spokesman said he opposed water restrictions.
“We’re with you,” Dutton said.
Australian farmers have enjoyed bumper harvests thanks to years of abundant rainfall, but pessimism is prevalent.
“Australian agriculture has no future under this government,” said Will Crocker, a 32-year-old cattle farmer from New South Wales. “That’s just not true.”
