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This is the third Outlook conference I’ve had the privilege to speak at; the second I’ve had the privilege to open, given after the election, the Prime Minister chose to come here himself. When I spoke on that second day in the 2008 Conference, I set out what I believe were the external pressures and dealing with those external pressures that actually drive public policy in this portfolio in the years ahead.

The NSW Farmers’ Association is calling on the Federal Government to reassure consumers that Australian beef consumption is safe.

NSW Farmers’ Association Cattle Committee Chair Richard Chamen says the industry is concerned by recent incorrect media reports that beef from countries with a previous case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) will not be subject to import risk assessment following a change in trading arrangements.

All sectors of the irrigation industry were represented at centre pivot lateral move training courses held at Moree and Goondiwindi recently as part of the NSW Sustaining the Basin: Border Rivers-Gwydir pilot project.

Eighteen growers and industry representatives attended the two day courses, which covered all aspects of planning design, sprinkler packages and maintenance of pivots and lateral moves.