Fruit and vegetable growers say the regional fuel tax legislation, as it stands, is likely to add costs for consumer.

Farmers say if the government introduces a tax on diesel to fund transport it must first sort out the "cumbersome and costly" fuel excise duty rebate system.

Opposition agriculture spokesman Nathan Guy says it is chilling that the Government will force the cattle industry outside of an agreed mandate to pay to eradicate M. bovis.

LIC is mourning the passing away of its longest serving staff and one the dairy industry’s most influential scientists.