Rural report

Anxieties over water, climate change and drought are weighing on farmers' minds as the Rudd Government enters its second year.

That's what farm groups say despite giving the Government a reasonably positive report card for its first 12 months in office.

National Farmers' Federation president David Crombie said Labor had worked constructively with the NFF on a range of issues after some inevitable "teething problems".

"But we're getting impatient about lack of action on new phone technologies and irrigation upgrades, which are crucial for farmers and rural communities," he said.

Farmers were also anxious for details of new drought policies and the transition process, he said.

Australian Dairy Farmers boss Allan Burgess said many of Labor's plans were still "in evolution".

"We're not comfortable with its emissions trading plans, which don't protect efficient exporters like us," he said.

"And we're still waiting for the promised on-farm water upgrades." 

A spokeswoman for Water Minister Penny Wong said Labor had committed $3.7 billion for upgrading water infrastructure and had agreed on a plan with the States to restore the Murray-Darling Basin, including funding for infrastructure projects now being developed.

Outgoing Cattle Council of Australia president, Bill Bray, said the Government had done well, but beef farmers were still "anxious and alarmed" about the potential costs of an emissions trading scheme.

Horticulture Australia Council chief executive, Kris Newton, said the level of consultation had been pleasing, and the industry was looking for major quarantine reforms next year.

But Australian Pork Limited said its relations with Labor had been "frustrating and unproductive".

The pledges to promote local produce and improve labelling were still not implemented, chief executive Andrew Spencer said. A Productivity Commission inquiry had been a "disaster" and subsidised imports were still hurting. Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said these subsidies were "outrageous" and trade policy must combat these distortions.

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