The government keeps telling us there’s no supply problem, but obviously there’s an issue here because we are hearing it from AgForce members all around Queensland. It’s absurd how fast we can run out of fuel for essential services like ambulances, fire engines, fuel trucks, and grain supplies going to feed lots.
Producers are then unable to harvest crops, plant crops, get animals to market, or get food and fibre to the consumers. If the trucks stop, so does the food and supermarket isles are empty.
It’s not just the lack of fuel. It’s the price of fuel.
If left unchecked the soaring fuel prices and lack of supply will preclude trucks from running because they simply can’t afford to fill up and operate at that price.
We’ve long talked about the importance of being food secure in this country, and being fuel secure goes a long way towards that. It is amazing how quickly this has become an urgent concern.
Whatever the cause of this situation, whether it be lack of supply, lack of distribution, panic buying, whatever you want to call it, it’s now become a national security issue.
It’s frightening to see how easy it is to bring Australia to its knees if you just cut off the fuel and fertiliser supplies coming to our shores. And ridiculous how quickly it can happen.
In a state with 50 cent fares for public transport, in times of fuel shortages, do we need to consider prioritising fuel going to the right places? To ensure that agriculture as an industry can continue?
For years AgForce has lobbied for Queensland to start producing fuel and fertiliser to ensure our food security – especially in times of crisis. And what has been done? Nothing. Did we not learn anything from COVID?
Its time to Stop talking and let’s start doing, to make sure this never happens again. Farmers need to be at the table for these negotiations because we know the implications.
There are animal welfare issues here too. If feed lots can’t get feed to the cattle, what happens? If I’m moving livestock from one area to the other and I can’t refuel the truck, what happens?
Rural communities are seeing fuel prices rise before their eyes – while the government tells them isn’t a fuel crisis, with some reports of over $3 a litre.
This is the last thing that farmers need with all the pressures they’re already facing, whether it be flood, drought, lower commodity prices, or new worrisome legislation. It’s just seems another punch in the guts to producers how many more can we take. The best time to plant a tree is yesterday, and second best is today – lets fix the problem.
Remember, Every Family Needs a Farmer.
