NSWFarmers advocated for the state's agricultural sector during a NSW Governmentroundtable discussion on the ongoing fuel crisis.
AssociationPresident Xavier Martin said it was important to bring the rural experience infront of senior government ministers to reinforce the need for urgent action.
"TheNSW Government has shown leadership on this issue, and we have strongly urgedministers to make sure that food supply and production is a central componentof a broader crisis response," Mr Martin said.
"Theneed for urgent action from state and federal governments is vital to ensurethat agriculture has access to critical farm inputs including fuel andfertiliser.
"Despitethe messaging that there is enough supply in the system, this is not the livedexperience of many across rural and regional NSW who are facing daily decisionsabout how to use their remaining supplies."
MrMartin said there were growing reports of service stations and depots runningout of fuel, limits on the amount of fuel that could be purchased at servicestations, bulk fuel orders being cancelled because they could not be filled,bulk fuel distributors prioritising and rationing orders from particularcustomers and instances where the price to receive fuel increases betweenmaking an order and receiving delivery of it, even for existing orders madeprior to the conflict.
"NSW Farmers position on this is absolutely clear, thestate and federal governments must ensure there is a guaranteed supply ofdiesel for agriculture as a priority," Mr Martin said.
"This conflict in Iran ismore than two weeks old now and farmers around the state continue to bedisappointed that the Australian Government is dragging its heels on action.
"Energy Minister Chris Bowenreleased five days' worth of diesel out of the reserve late last week, which isnowhere near enough, but sadly it is a significant percentage of our onshorestocks.
"The fact that we wentthrough a global pandemic and an escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict anddid nothing to increase our stockpiles is, frankly, shocking."
MrMartin warned without a reliable supply of diesel at a realistic price point,farmers of all commodities would need to make tough decisions about theiroperations, impacting Australia's food and fibre supply.
"Theimpacts of this will be far reaching and long-term for farm business viabilityand rural communities," Mr Martin said.
"Discussionslike we had around the table in Sydney are important, but they need to befollowed up with swift and decisive action.
"Regulatory intervention cannot be off the table, and state and federal governmentsmust remember the central role farmers play in underpinning our food security."
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has established a Critical Response Taskforce in response, so if you are unable to access the fuel required for essential farm operations, please email details of your situation to and CC so we can keep track of it as well.
Please include where possible:
• Your location
• The type of fuel affected
• The impact on your farm operations
• Any immediate or flow on consequences
