Australian Dairy Farmers has congratulated Brett Hosking and Peter Star on their election as VFF president and vice-president, and Bernie Free on his appointment as UDV president.
“The comments made by Mr Hosking prior to and subsequent to his election already demonstrate a willingness to work with peak commodity councils and the National Farmers’ Federation,” ADF president Ben Bennett said.
“I consider this reassuring and importantly his comments demonstrate a sound understanding of the functions of peak commodity bodies with respect to issues such as biosecurity, trade, and oversight of research and development corporations.
“The dairy farmers within Victoria have also demonstrated their ongoing support for ADF through UDV’s continued participation in ADF’s National Council and Policy Advisory groups.
“The appointment of new VFF Board directors affords both organisations the opportunity for a ‘circuit breaker’ to sit down and, hopefully, amicably resolve the dispute between the previous VFF Board and ADF that has been ongoing over the last 18 months.”
Mr Bennett said he would reach out to the VFF’s new board and president with an offer to meet at a mutually convenient time to discuss how the two organisations can work together into the future.
“If media reports are correct regarding VFF membership and finances, the new VFF directors clearly have a huge recovery task ahead of them,” he said.
“However, it is my intent that our respective organisations work collectively and collaboratively towards a mutually beneficial outcome for all Victorian farmers and dairy farmers in particular.”
The ADF and VFF have a long-running dispute over dairy farmers’ levies, collected by the VFF and due to be remitted to the ADF.
The VFF said ADF membership fees were ‘unfair’ and did not represent value for money for all Victorian dairy farmers and UDV members.
The VFF notified the ADF in October 2022 that it would no longer pay fees under its current membership structure.