Australian Dairy Farmers

Tuesday 13 February 2023

MEDIA RELEASE

Update on unpaid VFF-UDV membership fees

Long-running talks between Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) and the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) have failed to resolve a dispute over the non-payment of $500,000 in member fees by VFF, ADF has announced today.

“ADF has been very patient over the past 12 months. ADF has endeavoured to pursue a resolution via mediation and negotiation, yet the parties are too far apart. It has become apparent that the only way to resolve this matter will likely be via court action,” says ADF President Ben Bennett. 

“The ADF Board considers it has a fiduciary duty to the organisation, to ADF’s other State members, and to the dairy farmers themselves, to pursue an outstanding debt that has been unreasonably withheld.

“Farmers should be aware these are dairy farmers’ levies that have been collected by VFF on the grounds they would be remitted to ADF but have been unjustifiably withheld by VFF. 

“Not only has VFF withheld these funds, but the dairy farmer members of VFF, the United Dairy Farmers of Victora (UDV) themselves have continually requested that VFF remit these funds to ADF.

“It is unfortunate to find ourselves in this position and while ADF remains open to finding an amicable resolution, ultimately we must resolve the matter once and for all and move on for the good of dairy farmers and the industry.”