This year has been hard on Queensland farmers, so I’m urging families across our state to support our pork producers by buying their fantastic food.
The Sunpork Swickers abattoir has made an amazing recovery from the fire that devastated the factory in 2016.
It was fantastic to see Kingaroy in the spotlight this year with the first ever BaconFest – a unique three-day festival celebrating pork producers in the South Burnett.
Hosting local events like BaconFest is a great way to strengthen bush communities and diversify their economies.
Tough market conditions continue to hit pork-producing communities. The rising cost of feed and a pork oversupply has resulted in farmers selling their produce for prices far below the cost of production.
A new wave of imported low-cost, pre-cooked pork offering shelf-lives of up to two years has also made it really tough on our famers.
The Federal Government passing the new Country of Origin legislation has been a positive move for the industry as consumers can now identify local products on the shelves.
Queensland farmers deserve to be rewarded for their hard work and the best way to do that is to give consumers the chance to buy it through clear labelling.
If you haven’t already bought your ham, take a close look at the label to ensure you’re backing our bush communities.
Deb Frecklington
Member for Nanango
LNP Leader of the Opposition
