STONEFRUIT representative body Summerfruit Australia has joined the National Farmers Federation as a Commodity Member.
It is the first major horticulture group to partner with the overarching group that represents the interests of beef, cotton, dairy, goats, grains, pork, rice, sheep meat, sugar and wool.
It joins Dried Fruits Australia as the only two horticulture-related groups to share joint membership with the Voice of Horticulture which was established late last year.
Horticulture is Australia’s third largest agricultural sector with a Gross Value of Production of $10 billion per year and is the largest employer in agriculture with more than 60,000 employed.
NFF president Brent Finlay said Summerfruit Australia’s place at the NFF table will further strengthen the farmer voice on national policy affecting the horticulture industry.
“We warmly welcome Summerfruit Australia to the NFF family, and look forward to working more closely with the stonefruit industry,” Mr Finlay said.
“The future holds unmatched potential for Australia’s horticulture sector. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Science (ABARES) predicts the real value of fruit and vegetable consumption in the ASEAN region to nearly double by 2050, with net imports reaching US$8 billion.
“To capture opportunities like this abroad, we must unify: working together, speaking with one voice, under one brand.
"This type of collaboration will help foster meaningful trade relationships across the region, moving more of our premium, safe and sustainable produce across the seas and driving home better export returns.
“Today’s announcement will enrich Summerfruit Australia’s role in delivering for stonefruit growers around the country, bringing their interests forward for debate at the highest level and supporting the development of strong and effective national farm policy.
“It will open up new opportunities for stonefruit growers, both domestically and in overseas markets and mean that their voices are heard in Canberra when it matters most.
Summerfruit Australia represents about 1200 peach, nectarine, plum and apricot growers across Australia producing a combined total of 100,000 tonnes of fruit per annum.
Summerfruit Australia CEO John Moore said the group's role is to equip stonefruit growers with the tools and programs they need to optimise farm business profitability.
"And to represent their interests at all levels across government and industry,” he said.
“We look forward to working with the NFF on the key issues facing not only our industry, but the broader agricultural sector, including better market access, fair irrigation allocations and protecting our produce from exotic pest incursions."
The partnership is another sign of a steady move toward a more united agricultural front that includes horticulture, a sector often put in the "too-hard basket" due to its multiple commodities.
The Voice of Horticulture came out in support of last week's NFF-led campaign to defend the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement against criticism from various union groups questioning the veracity of its labour agreements and adequacy of protections for Australian workers.
VOH chair Tania Chapman described the ChAFTA as "crucial for growth in horticulture" and said to not support the FTAs is effectively limiting employment growth and Australian horticulture's export potential.
“An important strategy to grow this employment is to export our produce overseas, because there is a huge opportunity there that extends us beyond our relatively small domestic market,” Ms Chapman said.
“We have made some progress in recent years with citrus, almonds, table grapes etcetera, but trade barriers and protocols limit our growth.
“Recent FTAs with Japan and South Korea and, potentially, the China FTA can be real drivers for horticultural growth.
“This growth will require more skilled workers on farms and in packing sheds, transport, logistics, and on-farm quality control. It will also require more staff in export businesses both in Australia and in the destination countries to undertake promotions, sales and quality control.”
In June, Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA) CEO John Lloyd used his opening address at the 2015 National Horticulture Convention on the Gold Coast to call for greater unity within horticulture itself.
"We are the second or third biggest agriculture industry in Australia but we are treated like the 10th," Mr Lloyd said.
"It's the job of representative bodies to hold government to account."
"I'm increasingly convinced that the real enemy out there is the Mars Bar. Horticulture needs to unite."
He said the fragmented representation of the 43 industry groups continued to push and shove between themselves for attention.
"Our domestic focus leads to competitive rather than collaborative relationships," he said.
"The fragmentation in horticulture leads to a lack of power and relevance."
