Ausveg CEO Richard Mulcahy has questioned both Liberal and Labour’s commitment to the primary industries sector, suggesting that both parties might be placing agriculture second.
Mulcahy says that the decision by both parties to delay announcing their agricultural policies until later in the federal election campaign has raised concerns, ABC Rural reports.
"Look, I understand the biggest concern that's facing the major parties is the issue of costings," said Mulcahy.
"All initiatives put forward come at a very high price, and I'm just hopeful that agriculture won't go to second place in the campaign to win votes by offering all sorts of appealing items to the electorate."
Mulcahy says that both parties should release their policies as soon as possible so they can be adequately compared to one another, and that the Greens in contrast, are ahead of both parties.
“In fairness, the Greens have been on the front foot for some time," he said.
"They've worked closely with industry. We have developed some of their policies with them, and we're keen to see that happen across the spectrum."
Although he stresses that Ausveg is not politically aligned, Mulcahy says that the Greens have demonstrated a strong commitment to rural Australia.
“Senator Milne has developed a very strong interest in rural Australia over the last couple of years to try and reach agreement on positions that are important to our growers," he said.
"Certainly in relation to their food plan which they've just released, and especially importantly in relation to competition policy, which is significant in terms of its impact on the market place, and so we've welcomed that," he said.