Urgent recognition needed as fuel crisis threatens dairy supply
Source: DairyNews.today
With concerns over food supply, animal welfare and farm safety escalating by the day due to fuel and fertiliser supply issues, the peak body for Australia’s dairy farmers has written to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for urgent action.
Echoing the National Farmers Federation, Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) called on the Prime Minister, federal ministers and all state premiers to urgently recognise dairy and agriculture more broadly as a priority industry in fuel and fertiliser supply arrangements.
The letter to the Prime Minister, sent in advance of yesterday’s National Cabinet meeting, outlined the growing impacts of fuel disruptions across agriculture, especially in the dairy supply chain, and called for coordinated national action to protect the industry.
ADF president, Ben Bennett, said the dairy industry is uniquely vulnerable due to its continuous production cycle and reliance on diesel across every stage of operations.
“Dairy is not a sector that can pause,” Mr Benett said.
“Cows must be milked every day, milk must be collected every day, and it must reach processors and consumers quickly.
“This is a highly perishable staple product. If fuel is not available, milk is lost, animal welfare is compromised, and supermarket supply will be affected.”
ADF warned current fuel security frameworks do not explicitly recognise dairy as a priority user, leaving farmers, processors and consumers exposed during these supply disruptions.
The dairy industry had already experienced delays, shortages and rising costs.
“Without recognition of dairy as a priority, the industry is being forced to compete for fuel in a constrained market,” Mr Bennett said.
“That is not sustainable when the consequence is lost production and reduced food availability.”
ADF key asks of government
ADF has also written to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, highlighting the cross-portfolio implications of the issue.
Immediate risks to farmers and consumers
Mr Bennett said the impacts are already being felt on farm, with delivery delays and supply constraints placing pressure on operations.
“If this continues, there is a risk we will see milk production disrupted, increased pressure on farmers, and flow-on impacts right through to consumers,” he said.
“This is not just an industry issue – it is a national food security issue.”
The letter to the Prime Minister, sent in advance of yesterday’s National Cabinet meeting, outlined the growing impacts of fuel disruptions across agriculture, especially in the dairy supply chain, and called for coordinated national action to protect the industry.
ADF president, Ben Bennett, said the dairy industry is uniquely vulnerable due to its continuous production cycle and reliance on diesel across every stage of operations.
“Dairy is not a sector that can pause,” Mr Benett said.
“Cows must be milked every day, milk must be collected every day, and it must reach processors and consumers quickly.
“This is a highly perishable staple product. If fuel is not available, milk is lost, animal welfare is compromised, and supermarket supply will be affected.”
ADF warned current fuel security frameworks do not explicitly recognise dairy as a priority user, leaving farmers, processors and consumers exposed during these supply disruptions.
The dairy industry had already experienced delays, shortages and rising costs.
“Without recognition of dairy as a priority, the industry is being forced to compete for fuel in a constrained market,” Mr Bennett said.
“That is not sustainable when the consequence is lost production and reduced food availability.”
ADF key asks of government
- ADF has called for urgent action across all levels of government, including:
- Formal designation of dairy as a priority fuel user across farming, transport, feed supply and processing;
- Consistent recognition of dairy in all state and territory emergency fuel plans;
- Guaranteed access to contracted fuel supply for dairy businesses;
- Use of emergency powers where required to direct fuel to critical industry operations such as dairy;and
- Recognition of dairy as an essential service underpinning national food security and animal welfare.
ADF has also written to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, highlighting the cross-portfolio implications of the issue.
Immediate risks to farmers and consumers
Mr Bennett said the impacts are already being felt on farm, with delivery delays and supply constraints placing pressure on operations.
“If this continues, there is a risk we will see milk production disrupted, increased pressure on farmers, and flow-on impacts right through to consumers,” he said.
“This is not just an industry issue – it is a national food security issue.”
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