NSW Farmers has thanked the Minns Government for delivering new funding for biosecurity and agricultural innovation to help farmers feed the future.
On Friday NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty announced a $100 million dollar funding boost to the state's biosecurity system, with a further $41.2 million to be invested in upgrading a government research and development program for agriculture.
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said practical, long-term funding for biosecurity systems was long overdue, with feral animal species estimated to cost the state 500 million dollars in damages every year.
"Everything from feral pigs and fire ants to deer and wild dogs are causing grief everywhere we turn, and soon it won't just affect our farming - it will affect our way of life," Mr Martin said.
"Coordinated action to fight pests and weeds, continued funding to implement eID for sheep and goats, and supports to ensure we can prevent and respond to plant and animal disease incursions are what farmers need at a minimum to keep on farming.
"While we're still unpacking the detail of this announcement and what it will mean for agriculture, we know investment in our biosecurity systems is what will strengthen our sector - and it is good to see our government commit to delivering that."
Research and development would also be critical to agriculture into the future, Mr Martin said, with the state government urged to follow its latest investment in the space with further funding and resources.
"The hugely complex challenges to production that stem from emissions reduction, land use conflict and environmental conservation demand continued research and development if we want to keep our farmers farming," Mr Martin said.
"Adequately resourced research and development has the potential to drive benefits not just in the paddock, but to the broader economy, and that must not be stifled in any way, shape or form.
"From better infrastructure to investment in the next generation, there's so much to be done to secure a brighter future our farming communities, and we hope this is the start, not the end, of good news out of this year's state budget."
