General News
4 November, 2024
Hosking's push for VFF lead
The embattled Victorian Farmers Federation will have a new leader before Christmas - and Quambatook grain and livestock farmer Brett Hosking is one of two candidates pushing for the top job.
The embattled Victorian Farmers Federation will have a new leader before Christmas - and Quambatook grain and livestock farmer Brett Hosking is one of two candidates pushing for the top job.
The embattled organisation which represents farmers across the state, will elect a replacement leader for current president Emma Germano who has held the position for two terms of two years.
Mr Hosking, a former VFF vice president and respected agriculture leader and advocate, said the VFF was an essential voice for all Victorian farmers.
“If elected president," he said, "I will make sure the VFF is a place for all voices, where all commodities are represented and leaders share their expertise to drive change.
"There are so many issues and challenges facing agriculture at the moment," he said.
"Whether it's renewable energy, transmission lines, animal welfare legislation, biosecurity issues or mineral sands mines, we need to be on the front foot to engage with government on behalf of farmers."
He wants Victorian farmers to have a strong, united, respected voice.
“We need to reconnect with members, and re-engage with industry and government," he said.
"My leadership style is collaborative and I will make sure people feel empowered to contribute.”
Mr Hosking is a former VFF director and was vice president for two years as well as chairing GrainGrowers for four years.
He is a Birchip Cropping Group director, chairs Grains Australia Trade and Market Access Council and is also a director of Farmers for Climate Action.
He has represented farmers at a local, state and federal level and helped lead change in the agricultural industry.
He has participated in overseas trade missions and led growers through geopolitical trade disruptions and climate-related impact on farming.
In 2023 he attended the inaugural United Nations FAO Sustainable Livestock Conference in Rome.
Mr Hosking has joined forces with Peter Star who is seeking election as the vice president.
Mr Hosking's opponent is current VFF vice-president Danyel Cucinotta from LT's Egg Farm. She holds a Diploma in Agriculture and a Bachelor of Business Management.
Voting for the VFF elections opens on November 25 and closes on December 6.