The letter highlighted the growing impact of fuel shortages across agriculture, particularly for the dairy industry, which depends heavily on diesel for daily operations. Dairy farms require fuel not only for milking, feeding and irrigation, but also for transporting milk to processors and retailers. Unlike other sectors, dairy production cannot be paused or delayed without immediate consequences.

ADF president Ben Bennett said the dairy sector is uniquely exposed because cows must be milked every day and milk must be collected and processed immediately. He warned that dairy products are highly perishable, meaning any interruption in fuel supply could quickly lead to milk losses, compromised animal welfare and reduced supermarket supplies.

According to the organization, existing fuel security frameworks do not specifically identify dairy as a priority user during supply disruptions. As a result, farmers and processors are being forced to compete for limited diesel supplies in an increasingly constrained market. The industry says this has already resulted in delivery delays, shortages and higher operating costs.