THE party aspiring to be the voice of rural Australia, the Greens, have bagged the Coalition’s agriculture policy as a mixture of “good, bad and ugly”.
This is despite the Coalition’s commitment to increased research and development spending and increased funds for biosecurity being widely praised by the farm sector.
The Greens also praised the focus on research and development and increased biosecurity, but said the policy was undermined by an attack on environmental policies and a declaration from the shadow minister, John Cobb, that he is a climate sceptic.
“The Coalition's anti-environmental prejudices are slowly but surely undermining their historical claim to represent rural and regional Australia,” Australian Greens deputy leader Senator Christine Milne said.
“The Greens have taken a very strong stance on biosecurity and quarantine and we agree with the Coalition that this area, left to flounder under Labor, needs focus and funding.
“We also strongly support a return to properly funded research and development in the agricultural arena.
“But you cannot be a serious spokesperson for farmers and rural Australia if you are hiding your head in sand over the very real threat of climate change.
“Sustainability and ethical production will be a critical feature of agriculture and must be central to research and development priorities.
“It is selling Australian farmers short and undermining their global competitiveness to turn your back on good environmental stewardship.”
However, the National Farmers’ Federation said the Coalition’s agriculture policy promoted in on-farm environmental solutions.
“The Coalition’s policy combines a range of key measures that, collectively, will improve the capacity of Australian farmers to meet increasing challenges for food and fibre production,” NFF president David Crombie explained.
“Practical solutions announced by the Coalition to partner with farmers in delivering on-farm environmental works through proactive farm management, are equally smart and well-targeted.”
Mr Crombie cited the ‘Water Works’ Programme of $50 million over four years to enable farmers to invest in water-saving activities through stock water upgrades, improving grazing practices and protecting environmental assets.
“Funding for renewable energy pumps to transition farmers from fossil fuel power sources to options such as solar-powered pumps, will make them lower-cost and foster sensible and practical adoption of environmentally-friendly technologies,” he said.
“This will be welcomed by remote communities who bitterly disappointed by the axing of the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program.
“The Saltbush, Fodder Tree and Blue Mallee Planting Programme is another smart initiative that demonstrates how providing incentives for farmers to improve productivity and enhance preparedness for drought can lead to positive environmental outcomes, particularly in terms of carbon mitigation.
“The carbon mitigation potential of outback Australia, particularly in the areas of vegetation regrowth and feral pest eradication, is extensive. This programme, combined with the Coalition’s proposal of a Feral Animal Control Programme, could signal a positive kick-start to Australia capitalising on carbon opportunities.
“Investment to fully understand Australian agriculture’s net carbon footprint is welcomed. Regardless of domestic policy responses to climate change, this highlights that commercial drivers will be increasingly important influences on demand for Australian agricultural produce.
“For example, this $8 million commitment will help us to complete the picture of Australia’s net carbon position in food and fibre production, compare it with overseas competitors and inform our ongoing efforts to position Australian food and fibre supply to meet consumer expectations both here and overseas.”
The Australian Food and Grocery Council also backed the policy, saying green tape was posing a significant cost to food manufacturing in Australia.
And the Australian Veterinary Association praised the promised injection of funds into quarantine services, but is calling for full implementation of the Beale recommendations to strengthen biosecurity.
