The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is concerned proposed staff reductions to key Victorian Government departments could leave Victoria’s $20 billion dollar agriculture industry vulnerable to the risks posed by devastating pests and biosecurity threats.
VFF President Brett Hosking said the future of key roles involving biosecurity, emergency response, invasive-species management was under threat and the government must not shirk at its responsibility to protect the industry.
“Victorian agriculture is a world class, $20 billion dollar industry that indirectly employs more than 150,000 people," he said.
"These proposed cuts have the potential to put all of that at risk if our biosecurity safety net is not maintained as it should be.
“Any reduction in staff and services would be a backward step for Victorian agriculture, particularly in areas safeguarding the sector against pests and diseases.
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“Now is a critical time, given we have increasing threats and risks.
"The government have been taking a risk-based approach to policy and regulations, but are heightening these risks by reducing staff and capacity,” Mr Hosking said.
Mr Hosking added the flagged reduction in staff could leave the industry vulnerable should a large-scale biosecurity outbreak occur.
“You only need to remember the huge response that was required to contain and eradicate the recent avian influenza outbreak.
"It’s all hands-on deck and you only get one chance to get the response right.
“I fear if the government follows through with this decision our industry and our regional communities could be left high and dry.
“We’re calling on the Victorian Government to rethink these cuts and protect our multi-billion dollar agricultural industry,” Mr Hosking said.
Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish MP said reckless cuts by the state government will also see invasive weeds and pests go unchecked across the electorate and Victoria overall.
From December 2025, Victoria will be the only state in Australia with no plan, no rules and no resources to deal with destructive pests like blackberries, rabbits and gorse after the government disbanded Agriculture Victoria’s pest and weed team.
“Blackberries are already running rampant along roadsides, strangling our local rivers and streams and plaguing our bushland and farms,” Ms McLeish said.
“I receive regular complaints and concerns from constituents about blackberry growth, as well as damage to crops, and properties caused by rabbits, foxes and feral pigs.”
“I see a fox at least once a day.
"Everyone in regional Victoria understands the problem with rabbits, foxes and noxious weeds.
“The Agriculture Victoria Pests and Weeds Teams did what they could, but it was a challenge when they didn’t receive the government support.
"Now with one of our only lines of defence gone, the weeds and pests will grow out of control, particularly as we come into spring.”
Labor has only budgeted $537.2 million for Agriculture Victoria in 2025–26 — down from $614.8 million in 2024–25, which is seen as a direct attack on regional Victorians, who
will feel the pinch the hardest.
