PPSA Christmas message

PRIMARY Producers SA and its commodity group members wish everyone a safe Christmas.  It is very difficult to consider the celebration of Christmas when so many in our industry have been so incredibly impacted by the recent Pinery fire. To all those who have suffered as a result our thoughts and prayers are with you. The sheer force and brutality of this fire have left many people suffering huge losses and emotional turmoil. Our thoughts are with you. We thank everyone who has offered assistance to those affected by the fires. There are many helping out. I especially thank BlazeAid, their founder Kevin Butler and his helpers. Their contribution is invaluable. It has been a mixed year across the industry. Various areas have suffered with fire, drought, frost, a harsh finish to the growing season, and the vagaries of ever increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Positives have been the devaluation of the Aussie dollar, the free trade agreements and the increasing realisation of opportunities for trade to Asia. We have also seen good progress in modernising freight regulations, and an increasing focus on the importance of the food industry. We are increasingly challenged by water and electricity charges, and there is a growing frustration regarding NRM and Emergency Services levies.  Also, the interaction of agriculture and mining looms as a real challenge. I take this opportunity to thank Agriculture Minister Leon Bignell and his staff for the open access we have. Also thank you to Scott Ashby and PIRSA for the constant dialogue and consultation.  A particular thanks to PIRSA and DPTI for the partnership approach to the Transport Project, aimed at saving farmers money.