National Rural News

Friday, November 21, 2008

RSPCA wants wool industry to reaffirm mulesing commitment

The RSPCA says the wool industry must stand by it's commitment to end mulesing by 2010.

PETA fires warning shot over AWI bows

Animal rights group PETA has sent an open letter to the new members of the board of Australian Wool Innovation, demanding they agree to a three point plan to phase out mulesing or the group will continue to lobby international retailers not to buy Australian wool.

Victorian Farmers say new AWI board 'a disaster'

The president of the Victorian Farmers Federation has labelled the new Australian Wool Innovation board 'an absolute disaster.'

Pacific island worker scheme to start in December

Horticulture groups are worried the Federal Government's Pacific Island Worker Scheme is off the mark before it's even started.

Sharemarket plummets as miners continue free fall

As Australia's sharemarkets falls to half it's value of a year ago, Australia's richest man says it's just hysteria.

China sets out dairy safety and recovery plan

The Chinese government has developed a plan for the dairy industry which it hopes will see supplies and sales get back to normal by the end of the year.

China sets out dairy safety and recover plan

The Chinese government has developed a plan for the dairy industry which it hopes will see supplies and sales get back to normal by the end of the year.

Further rain damages farmland in Queensland

More rain has fallen in the flood damaged Lockyer Valley in Queensland's south east but locals say it hasn't hindered the clean up.

Cherry crop devestated by rain in Victoria

Rain has devastated cherries currently being picked in Victoria's Goulburn Valley.

Banana industry worried for future of research

The Australian sub-tropical banana industry is at risk of losing valuable research with the closure of the State Government owned Centre for Tropical Horticulture in northern New South Wales.

Locals protest research station closure

Around 300 people turned out to protest the closure of the Glen Innes Agricultural Research Station yesterday.

Millions to be saved from research station cuts

The New South Wales Primary Industries Minister says the state will save "several million dollars" through cuts to his department.

Environment minister rejects Tassie plan to pump water to drought affected region

Tasmania's request to move water into the drought-affected central highlands has again been rejected by the Federal Environment Minister.

Fishing latest industry worried about mining impact

The seafood industry has put the mining industry on notice by saying it will litigate if fish are contaminated by mining activity at ports.

SA farmers store grain to wait out bad prices

Low grain prices are forcing farmers in South Australia to warehouse their grain until the market improves.

Sugar mill takes local council to court over forestry plans

A far north Queensland sugar mill has launched legal action to try and prevent cane land from being turned into forestry plantations.

Nationals want inquiry over banana import risk assessment

A National Party Senator is calling for an inquiry into Biosecurity Australia's decision to recommend the importation of Cavendish bananas from the Philippines.

International buyers go nuts for lentils

Lentil prices are at record highs this harvest because of international demand.

Crop pests boom amid changing climate and farming practices

Farming practices, the climate and chemicals have changed crop pests over the last 20 years.

Queensland battered by storms

Wild weather has hit Queensland overnight causing major flash flooding and serious damage.

Beer boom for northern Tasmania

Multinational brewer, Lion Nathan, is sticking with plans to double the production of its boutique brewer, Boags, in northern Tasmania.