Princess Anne praises Queensland farmers

Princess Anne praises Queensland primary producers at agriculture conference in Brisbane

 Princess Anne Brisbane's RNA Showgrounds with RNA president Justice David Thomas. Photo:AAP Dan Peled

The Queen's daughter Princess Anne has paid tribute to Queensland on the first day of her visit to Brisbane.

While this was not an official Royal visit, Her Royal Highness is attending as guest of honour at the 26th Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth conference at the RNA showgrounds.

The Princess Royal is the society president, having taken over the position from her father Prince Philip, who founded the society more than 50 years ago.

It is the first time the conference is being held in Queensland and will examine the sustainability of agricultural shows across the world.

Princess Anne officially opened the conference during an address to 230 delegates on Tuesday afternoon.

 She spoke highly of Queensland's contribution to the agricultural sector.

 "I'm actually quite surprised it's the first time it has been here given the extraordinary history of Queensland as one of the greatest primary producing areas in the world," she said.

 Queensland 'world leader in livestock production'

 Princess Anne also paid tribute to the conditions facing many Queensland producers.

 "Those of us who live in slightly wetter places on a normal basis I don't think really quite understand what a drought truly means here, and that we have huge sympathy for," she said.

 "I know it rather kindly rained just before I arrived - I suspect that probably wasn't enough."

 Princess Anne described Queensland as an extraordinary state.

 "Its history as a producer and exporter, particularly of beef, in Australia and a world leader in livestock production, management and technologies is widely renowned," she said.

 "It is also renowned for exhibiting that extraordinary strength and resilience in the wake of certainly things like this drought but in previous years, extraordinary devastation caused by flooding."

 It was not the first time a Royal visitor had visited the RNA Showgrounds.

 Prince Edward toured in 1920 and Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip paid a visit in 1954.

Princess Anne last visited Queensland in 2000, when she travelled to the Gold Coast and Childers.

She was due to attend a barbecue in Brisbane on Tuesday night.

Princess Anne was also expected to visit several charities during her four-day Brisbane visit.

Source : ABC New October 21st, 2014 Louise Rebgetz