Tammin farmer Tony York appointed to National Farmers Federation board for second term

Tammin farmer Tony York has been reappointed to the National Farmers Federation board, saying he was motivated to “go again” to give WA farmers a voice on the national stage. The former WAFarmers president made history in November 2018 when he became the first WA member appointed to the board in more than 20 years. He secured that spot for a second time when he was reappointed at the group’s 36th annual general meeting on November 23, and retained his position as chair of the workforce committee. Mr York said a “rapidly globalised world” meant decision-making was often occurring at a national, rather than State, level. “The longer I spend involved, the more I realise so much of what our businesses are involved in are influenced by decisions made in Canberra,” he said. “There is is till a lot of opportunity for agriculture and a lot of decisions to come that will be important for agriculture. I have been very impressed with the NFF as an organisation. I think it is in a very strong position and as an advocate I want to help support their work.” Mr York said he believed NFF’s ambitious target of making agriculture a $100 million industry by 2030 — unveiled last year — had benefited the industry. “Having that target in mind has been extremely useful for governments to focus on during their decision-making process,” he said. Mr York follows in the footsteps of other WA NFF directors Sir Donald Eckersley, Winston Crane and Peter Lee. This year’s NFF AGM was held via Zoom to allow the directors from four different States to take part. Queensland beef producer and AgForce general president Georgia Somerset was appointed a new director, replacing NSW beef producer Tony Hegarty. Mr Hegarty stepped down after five years of service. Delegates were also provided with a “comprehensive briefing” on the process and negotiations of the Glasglow Climate Conference, which wrapped up the week prior. Directors also re-affirmed NFF’s goal for the national Landcare program, after the Federal Government recently launched the second phase of the initiative. The program was launched in 1989 as an agreement between NFF and the Australian Conservation Foundation to boost the sustainability of farmland and waterways. Other hot topics included biosecurity, with a formal agreement to bolster pressure for a Federal Government commitment to a “long-term” sustainable funding model. The NFF board is made up of six industry directors and one independent director, spearheaded by president Fiona Simson and vice-president David Jochinke. Other directors include NSW citrus grower Mark King, NSW mixed farmer Lisa Minogue, Queensland cattle producer Robyn Bryant. The sole independent director on the board is Andrea Koch, a fifth-generation farmer with extensive marketing and product development experience.