Farm productivity at the heart of the argument
I refer to your story (Senate to check on move of APVMA 14/2).
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The relocation of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) from Canberra to Barnaby Joyce’s electorate will cost Australian taxpayers $26 million and the agriculture sectors many millions more.
That’s not only my view; it’s backed by Minister Joyce’s own economic study of the relocation.
A report he tried to hide from the Parliament and the community.
The Senate Committee will further canvass the very real concerns the agriculture, crop protection and veterinarian medicines sectors have about the relocation.
Barnaby Joyce is trying to turn the inquiry into one about decentralisation.
Moving an important agency out of Canberra and away from the Parliament and its customers (the chemical medicines companies) is not a regional job creation plan.
Rather, it’s a plan to destroy farm productivity and a threat to human and animal health.
Joel Fitzgibbon MP
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Shadow Minister for Rural and Regional Australia
Spokesperson for Country Caucus
Member for Hunter