What the LNP is offering:

• Improved job, career and investment opportunities in the agricultural sector for both graduate professionals and vocational entry.
• Increased support from Government through development of a long-term plan and a stand-alone department
• More focus on ensuring ongoing competitiveness and building export opportunities.
• A better balance between mining, urban development and agriculture through clearly defined rules for protecting strategic cropping land
• Increasing the stock of high production cropping land and other productivity improvement through science and technology
• A strong future for agriculture with increased production to double food production by 2040

The LNP will DOUBLE Queensland's food production by 2040. The LNP will forward plan for Queensland's agricultural future. The United Nations estimates the world's current food consumption is set to double by 2050. An LNP Government will equip Queensland to rise to this challenge, by getting the basics right and delivering a real plan for the future. The CanDo LNP's Agriculture strategy: A 2040 vision for Queensland Agriculture paints the way forward for Queensland food and fibre to feed and clothe the world.

Our state can only thrive into the long term if we have an efficient, innovative, productive and successful agricultural sector.  With the right tools and focus on agriculture as one of the Four Pillars of our economy Queensland will once again lead Australia in agricultural excellence. The LNP understands good agriculture is based on innovation and deserves to attract the best and brightest Queenslanders. We recognise success will not come without deliberate planning and harnessing innovation through science and technology to make Queensland the world leader in food and fibre production. The LNP understands agriculture is a global industry and will actively seek export opportunities in both traditional and emerging markets.  To face this challenge we must be a true world citizen. Land use issues are challenging, but if we get the balance right all industry sectors can prosper to the benefit of local communities and Queensland as a whole. This LNP Agriculture Strategy with its 2040 vision shows the LNP is serious about properly planning for the future and ensuring our primary industries regain their rightful pre eminent position in our economy. A CanDo LNP Government will get Queensland back on track to ensure all Queenslanders share in a bright and prosperous future. 

Labor's Dismal Record
The current tired 20 year Labor Government has consistently ignored and undervalued Queensland's world class primary industries sector. Under Labor landholders have seen their property rights eroded and are suffocating under impractical and productivity destroying red tape. Labor has betrayed the future of this industry by closing key agricultural colleges and slashing on-the-ground support and development for our agricultural industries. Labor has failed to deliver for our regional communities and primary producers by not planning for the future, instead focusing on ad hoc political responses.

LNP Agriculture Strategy at a glance
The LNP is committed to a highly efficient, innovative, productive and successful agricultural sector that will thrive for the longer term. To ensure our agricultural sector continues prospering and attracting new investment, the LNP will work with industry groups, communities and relevant stakeholders to develop a 30-year plan for the industry. This plan will help identify investment and job opportunities, guide infrastructure planning and ensure food security for Queensland.

An LNP Government and the agricultural sector will meet the challenges by:

Developing a 30 year strategic plan for Queensland agriculture

• Work with peak bodies, farmers and communities to implement a strategy aiming to double Queensland food production by 2040.
• Focus on future food production not ad hoc crisis management

Facilitating new infrastructure to support agriculture

• Support both the agriculture and resource sectors through infrastructure planning
• Support the Connors River Dam, Nathan Dam and Water for Bowen Project
• Prioritise investment in major transport routes for agricultural products to ensure access to heavy transport options for agricultural industries
• Develop options to extend permitted heavy vehicle access to existing road networks without compromising safety standards
• Focus on research and development efforts on export opportunities for Queensland agricultural industries
• Ensure provision of appropriate rail access for the transport of grain and cattle for processing and export

Improve agriculture skills and career pathways

• Promote agricultural sciences, agricultural economics and biosciences as professional pathways for rural and urban young people
• Improve the profile and prestige of graduate careers, school based apprenticeships and traineeships in food production
• Introduce more recognised apprenticeships into the agriculture sector

Create a stand-alone agriculture department

• In partnership with the sector implement the 2040 Vision for Queensland Agriculture
• Provide world class extension and support services to enable agricultural enterprises to position for success in emerging markets
• Set clear targets for R&D around transformation research, capacity, industry development, sustainability and improved international linkages
• Engage with industry groups to work co-operatively for outcomes, rather than bureaucracy

Improved Research, Development and Extension

• Make R&D a priorities to improve productivity, support the sector's ability to address emerging challenges and to capitalise on emerging markets and opportunities
• Develop long term funding sources for agricultural R&D as part of our commitment to science and innovation for economic success

Commitment to protecting Strategic Cropping Land

• Identify and protect strategic cropping land under an improved system of Statutory Regional Plans, which will involve extensive local community input in developing regional plans
• Ensure there is no open cut mining on strategic cropping land
• Not allow underground mining, coal seam gas activity or other development on strategic cropping land if it is likely to have a significant, adverse impact on the productive capacity of that land to produce food and fibre in the future
• Regional Planning priority will be the Darling Downs and Golden Triangle regions followed by other regions
• Explore options for increasing the amount of land available for cropping and increasing the overall cropping productive value of Queensland agricultural land as part of the 2040 vision

Commitment to Bio-security

• A 30 year strategic plan for agriculture will set out requirements for improved bio-security systems, prevention, improved emergency response capacity and improved surveillance and detection

Carbon Tax

• The LNP will oppose Labor's proposed Carbon Tax to ensure a strong future for agriculture