The Australian Dairy Farmers’ (ADF) selfie campaign, aimed at generating support for a free trade agreement (FTA) with China, reached over 1.6 million Twitter users.
On Monday (1 September), Australian Dairy Farmers called upon Australians to upload a #FTA4dairy ‘selfie’ holding a sign incorporating the #FTA4dairy hashtag and a positive message about the China FTA
ADF CEO, Natalie Collard said the Australian dairy community’s strong online support is a testament to the industry’s desire to secure a positive China-Australia free trade agreement (FTA) for dairy.
“This social media campaign was positively backed by all sides of dairy – farmers, processors, the broader industry, politicians, students and dairy consumers alike – all in support of a more competitive and prosperous future for our dairy industry,” Collard said.
Along with the Australian dairy community’s support, both sides of politics also voiced their backing for a positive China-Australia FTA outcome.
Nationals Senator, Bridget McKenzie expressed the Senate’s desire to “back” the Australian dairy industry.
Similarly, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Joel Fitzgibbon showed his support for the campaign and tweeted: “What’s good for dairy is good for Oz.”
ADF President, Noel Campbell said that the #FTA4dairy social media campaign is just one avenue of ADF’s ongoing advocacy efforts.
“We continue to work closely with the Federal Government in order to help secure the best possible China-Australia FTA outcome for our dairy industry,” Campbell said.
Campbell said the Australian dairy industry has been working closely with its Chinese counterpart to foster a mutually beneficial trade partnership into the future.
“Once secured, a China-Australian FTA will provide Chinese consumers with better access to high-demand products, as well as an improved overall diversity of supply,” he said.
ADF said it will continue working hand in hand with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Agriculture.