摘要：In Queensland, at least 93 bodies exist to represent the interests of, and provide other services for, their farmer members, and their industries. The bodies vary greatly in: focus, roles and activities, priorities, resources, size, affiliations with other bodies, etc. Results from a survey of 68 producer representative bodies (PRBs), and other data and information are used to examine the demand for, and supply of, farmer representational and other services in Queensland. The main results were: member demand for services varies considerably between PRBs and are influenced by numerous factors; members and non-members of one PRB vary significantly in the importance attached to some services; the types of activities undertaken by PRBs varies between those for emerging and established industries; and PRBs with paid staff/officers undertake more activities than others. The paper concludes that PRBs must continue to evolve and adapt their operations and structures to take account of changes in: member and industry needs, external environments, cost pressures, resource availability, and sources of funding/assistance.
