AUSTRALIA is already one of the most urbanised nations in the world and now, more than ever, every family needs a farmer, writes JOHN COBB

Agriculture may not be considered a sexy industry.

However, I believe we have a great message to tell.

We need agriculture to be taught in our schools, and in government I will be working with my colleagues to make sure children leave school knowing where their food comes from.

No one knows the nation's carrying capacity and issues surrounding food production and sustainability better than our farmers.

By ignoring them, any "population" plan proposed by the Gillard Government will be half-baked at best.

Our producers set the benchmark for quality, clean, green and disease-free food and fibre, but this food quality comes at a price.

Often farmers are priced out of business by imported food and fibre, which are not produced under the same standards as Australian products.

The Coalition does not support an emissions trading scheme and has made it very clear that feeding people is not something that should be artificially taxed. Our input costs are already too high.

The Prime Minister's refusal to come clean on her deal with Bob Brown for Greens preferences is the real story of this campaign.

What will be farming's future if the price of a handful of Greens preferences is to get rid of the diesel fuel rebate, bring in an ETS, keep locking up productive farming land, ban chemicals needed to control Queensland fruit fly, or bring in animal welfare legislation that requires farmers to get a licence to farm?

To ensure farmers are not sinking under a mountain of green tape, the Coalition will undertake a $2 million audit of all environment legislation applicable to food production at a local, state and federal level.

It will highlight green tape that is putting lives at risk, is unworkable, contradictory or incompatible with other legislation.

We do not believe the current research and development corporations and cost-sharing arrangements should be abolished.

We are highly suspicious of the need for a Productivity Commission review into the RDCs.

Given Labor's track record of cutting $63 million from the CSIRO agriculture research budget, abolishing Land and Water Australia, and cutting $12 million from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, I strongly believe Labor will be taking the knife to agriculture research and development.

It is important research and development focuses on productive research to enable our farmers to make a decent living and return on their effort.

The increasing cost pressures are making good farmers unviable. It is vital "blue sky" research is undertaken, to provide farmers with tools to help them maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

The Coalition will be increasing research and development funding, to ensure we continue to lead the world in food and fibre production.

It is our farmers who hold the key to feeding the world and guaranteeing the true terror of famine is not visited upon our children and future generations.

The Coalition will treat agriculture and the communities it supports with the respect they deserve.

  • John Cobb is the Federal Opposition spokesman on agriculture