The National Farmers Federation response began by saying that "the Report of the Ecologically Sustainable Development Working Group on Agriculture reaffirms the farm sector's position that economic viability is the key to sustainable farming practices."

"Also, better education, extension and more rapid transfer of research results for farmers are crucial and recognised as such in the Report," said Mr Alex Arbuthnot, NFF's representative on the Working Group and President of the Victorian Farmers' Federation.

Mr Arbuthnot said the Report dodged the issue of drought and, despite recognising the need for community funded relief, did not clearly enough identify drought as a natural disaster.

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