Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has brought agriculture industry leaders from across the Cootamundra electorate to meet with the State’s new Agriculture Commissioner Daryl Quinlivan.
Representatives from the dairy, broad acre, horticulture, livestock and processing industries joined Ms Cooke and Mr Quinlivan for a round table discussion, flagging the challenges they are facing ahead of the 2020 harvest.
Ms Cooke said it was vital Mr Quinlivan heard directly from industry leaders.
“Primary Producers across the Cootamundra electorate have a staunch ally in their new Agriculture Commissioner, and I am pleased I have been able to bring together local industry leaders,” Ms Cooke said.
“This has been a fantastic opportunity for our local primary industries to raise the issues they are facing with Mr Quinlivan.”
Ms Cooke is raising the issues voiced at the roundtable with relevant Ministers.
Agriculture Commissioner Daryl Quinlivan said while there are challenges ahead for local industries, the primary producers were positive about the future.
“Labour shortages were the main concern of course but it was valuable to hear from people involved in a range of intensive production industries about the issues affecting their businesses,” Mr Quinlivan said.
“It is clear from their experiences that there are opportunities for significant economic and employment growth in regional NSW if we can improve the climate for investment, and we heard of many ideas that would contribute to this outcome.”
