A leaked email from the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) last September, which directed members to stay silent about potential health risks from the herbicide paraquat, has deepened a growing rift between grassroots farmers and peak agricultural bodies. Some farmers, including former Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) president Emma Germano, broke ranks to support those speaking out about clusters of Parkinson’s disease they believe are linked to the chemical. Manufacturer Syngenta, which has partnerships with the NFF, denies any link.
Germano described the directive to silence farmers as “inexcusable”, highlighting a broader discontent with how peak bodies represent the sector. Critics argue that organisations like the NFF prioritise agribusiness interests over those of ordinary farmers, particularly in niche and emerging industries. Andrew Meseha, a hemp grower, claims that sponsorship from chemical companies and alignment with political parties compromise advocacy, saying “the chemical companies are in every pocket”.
This disillusionment has fuelled the rise of independent rural MPs and issue-based collectives such as Lock the Gate and Farmers for Climate Action, which boast tens of thousands of supporters. In contrast, traditional state farming federations have seen declining memberships, with the VFF losing about 400 members in the year before the paraquat controversy. The NFF president, David Jochinke, acknowledged that expectations of peak bodies are changing and that the structure of agricultural organisations needs ongoing discussion.
The NFF itself faced upheaval this week when chief executive Troy Williams resigned after just three months, citing personal reasons. Meanwhile, first-generation farmers are increasingly looking to collective action solutions that depoliticise messages and build common ground, according to horticulturist Lisa Brassington. She notes that urban and township postcodes have been major donors to fire and flood relief, challenging the narrative of a rural-urban divide.
