AGRICULTURE had to be considered in decisions about water in the Murray Darling Basin, new Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hoskling has told a region branch forum in St Arnaud.
More than 100 people attended the forum last Wednesday organised by Wedderburn and St Arnaud VFF branches.
Mr Hosking said basin decisions did not “consider us a customer ... they are only the environment and the Government.”
In one of his first major branch addresses since being elected last December, Mr Hosking spoke about securing a sustainable future for the state’s peak farmer organisations.
Mr Hosking said other groups had sprung up in the region as debate flared on renewable energy transmission lines, wind turbines and mineral sands mining.
He said those groups were were still needed. 
“My intention is that the VFF is there to support and advocate alongside you,”  he said.
Mr Hosking said the VFF needed to better engage with peak national commodity groups and the new board was looking at funding mechanisms to make that happen.
“We’re looking at ways to add horsepower to commodities.”
He also said the state organisation was in a sound financial position despite challenges that included court battles in recent years.
His address at St Arnaud came hours after the Federal Government’s bid for a biosecurity tax had been rejected in Parliament.
“Withdrawal of the biosecurity tax is significant,” Mr Hosking said.
“We need a biosecurity tax but on the people creating the risk - not farmers but those importing goods.
“That’s where the risk is being created but these people are not paying ... they need to be (made) accountable as well,” Mr Hosking said.
Among motions the regional forum will send to state conference is a call for all wind turbines to be fitted with fire sensors and fire retardants, the fitting of slashing lights on the sides of freight trains and the vetoing of renewable energy projects on genuine food production land.
The meeting also voted to oppose Victoria’s emergency services and volunteers fund.