Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) today acknowledges and congratulates Brett Hosking and Peter Star on their election to the positions of President and Vice-President of the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) and its Board of directors.
ADF also congratulates Bernie Free on his appointment as United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) President, Scott Young as Livestock President, Peter Miller as Livestock Vice-President and all other commodity council appointments.
“The comments made by Mr Hosking prior to and subsequent to his election already today demonstrate a willingness to work with peak commodity councils and the National Farmers Federation,” ADF president Ben Bennett said.
“I consider this reassuring and importantly his comments demonstrate a sound understanding of the functions of peak commodity bodies with respect to issues such as biosecurity, trade, and oversight of research and development corporations (RDCs).
“The dairy farmers within Victoria have also demonstrated their ongoing support for ADF through UDV’s continued participation in ADF’s National Council and Policy Advisory groups.
“The appointment of new VFF Board directors affords both organisations the opportunity for a ‘circuit breaker’ to sit down and, hopefully, amicably resolve the dispute between the previous VFF Board and ADF that has been ongoing over the last 18 months.”
Mr Bennett said he would reach out to the VFF’s new board and president with an offer to meet at a mutually convenient time to discuss how the two organisations can work together into the future.
“If media reports are correct regarding VFF membership and finances, the new VFF directors clearly have a huge recovery task ahead of them. However, it is my intent that our respective organisations work collectively and collaboratively towards a mutually beneficial outcome for all Victorian farmers and dairy farmers in particular.”