Australian Dairy Farmers has called on the Prime Minister, federal ministers and all state premiers to urgently recognise dairy as a priority industry in fuel and fertiliser supply arrangements.
The letter to the Prime Minister outlined the growing impacts of fuel disruptions across agriculture, especially in the dairy supply chain, and called for coordinated national action to protect the industry.
ADF president Ben Bennett said the dairy industry was uniquely vulnerable due to its continuous production cycle and reliance on diesel across every stage of operations.
“Dairy is not a sector that can pause,” Mr Bennett said.
“Cows must be milked every day, milk must be collected every day, and it must reach processors and consumers quickly.
“This is a highly perishable staple product. If fuel is not available, milk is lost, animal welfare is compromised, and supermarket supply will be affected.”
ADF warned current fuel security frameworks do not explicitly recognise dairy as a priority user, leaving farmers, processors and consumers exposed during these supply disruptions.
The dairy industry had already experienced delays, shortages and rising costs.
“Without recognition of dairy as a priority, the industry is being forced to compete for fuel in a constrained market,” Mr Bennett said.
“That is not sustainable when the consequence is lost production and reduced food availability.”
