Producers hope for rural policy shift: [1 Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 08 Mar 2002: 2.
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Abstract
“If the approach [John Anderson] has outlined was adopted, it would unleash an era of co-operation and volunteerism from farmers that would significantly and rapidly improve the sustainability of natural resource management in Australia,” he said. “JohnAnderson’s statements today are the best news farmers have had for decades from governments on environmental policy. Mr Anderson has highlighted the inequity and ineffectiveness of government environmental policies that simply rely on regulation, with no consideration of the social and economic costs to regional communities.”
Queensland Farmers Federation executive director Brianna Casey echoed NSW Farmers, and said Mr Anderson’s approach was a fundamental shift forward in management of natural resources.
Full Text
PHIL Gentle points to the salt scalds starting to show on his country near Northam in Western Australia.
The fourth-generation farmer, who grows wheat and runs sheep on his 1800ha property Mannadene, 100km east of Perth, puts it down to the time the land has been cleared, and the rising water table.
“It is not affecting production,” he says. “But there are new spots showing. I reckon within five to 10 years those new spots will go out of production. We are fencing off remnant bush so it can regenerate without stock running through it.
“As for sharing the burden around, I think it is a good idea. It is unfair to be left to individual landowners.”
Mr Gentle was joined by his agri-political leaders in hailing John Anderson’s call for governments to compensate farmers for the cost of city-inspired environmental legislation as a once in lifetime policy shift.
NSW Farmers Association president Mal Peters described the National Party leader’s statement on environmental policy as a “once in a generation” policy shift.
Mr Peters said present policies were inequitable for landholders, ineffective in achieving environmental results and economically devastated rural communities.
“If the approach John Anderson has outlined was adopted, it would unleash an era of co-operation and volunteerism from farmers that would significantly and rapidly improve the sustainability of natural resource management in Australia,” he said. “JohnAnderson’s statements today are the best news farmers have had for decades from governments on environmental policy. Mr Anderson has highlighted the inequity and ineffectiveness of government environmental policies that simply rely on regulation, with no consideration of the social and economic costs to regional communities.”
Queensland Farmers Federation executive director Brianna Casey echoed NSW Farmers, and said Mr Anderson’s approach was a fundamental shift forward in management of natural resources.
“It is now time to implement the four principles espoused by the Deputy PM — information, property rights, incentives and partnership. Tree-clearing has been made a political football in Queensland. A commitment such as this may see the end of the game, and we will all come out winners.”
National Farmers Federation president Ian Donges called on state governments to work with farmers to achieve fair and equitable solutions to resource management.
“Environmental expectations and legislative changes are undermining the commercial viability of individual farms, eroding their asset base on farm management practices,” he said.
Illustration
Caption: Salt of the earth:Mr Gentle walks through remnant and dying bushland on a salt-affected area on his farm near Grass ValleyPicture: Andy Tindall; Photo: Photo