A FARM industry leader has called on the National Farmers' Federation to lobby for climate change action.
Australian Olive Association president and New Rural Industries Australia chairman Paul Miller said the NFF should push for action "to avoid the worst effects of climate change".
Mr Miller said people in agricultural industries were "very concerned" as farming would be hit hard by a warming climate.
"I'm surprised the NFF aren't pushing for (immediate) action," Mr Miller said.
"Our view is Australia needs to take action and conduct more research and development."
NFF trade and economics manager Charlie McElhone admitted the NFF had not lobbied for action on reducing carbon emissions.
But he said the NFF ensured "issues for farmers have been put on the table" during climate policy discussion.
"We export two-thirds of what we produce ... it's valid to wait," Mr McElhone said.
Climate Institute regional projects manager Corey Watts said the fact the NFF had not lobbied for climate action was "probably connected" to the NFF's large livestock and broadacre membership.
He said many livestock farmers found the idea of human induced climate change "unpalatable".
"The livestock sector ... feel they are being blamed, so it doesn't help when vegetarians say 'stop eating meat' when it's more complicated than that," Mr Watts said.
NFF president David Crombie said agriculture had reduced its emissions while the energy sector "and the rest of society" had increased theirs.
