THE Palaszczuk government is pushing to increase regulations imposed on farmers in efforts to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
The new regulations included in its reef regulations discussion paper would include the banana, horticulture and grains industries, while increasing the regulatory standards that already apply to sugarcane and grazing.
Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) CEO Travis Tobin said the aim of the proposed regulation expansion was to minimise nutrient and sediment runoff from agricultural and urban activities to improve reef water quality.
Mr Tobin acknowledged the state government’s discussion paper and said it was critical that government worked closely with the agricultural sector to ensure the right balance between regulation and incentivisation was realised.
“While QFF and industry members remain principally opposed to regulation of this nature, industry will work with government to get an acceptable outcome for farmers,” Mr Tobin said.
“QFF and its industry members appreciate and welcome the government’s recognition that many farmers have improved their land management practices through the various industry-specific Best Management Practice (BMP) programs.
“Voluntary industry BMP programs are making significant progress changing practices that mitigate losses of soil, fertiliser and pesticides from farms and improve water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoons.”
Farmers accredited against their industry BMP program will be deemed to meet minimum practice regulatory standards. The focus of regulation and compliance will be on farmers operating outside of the accepted industry standards.
“If the government is serious about continual improvement in industry’s impact on the Reef, it needs to commit to long term, adequate support for BMP programs,” Mr Tobin said.
“QFF looks forward to working with government and industry to ensure progress continues and our sector does its bit to deliver on community expectations.”
QFF continues to take a lead role as facilitator of the Reef Alliance partnership, consisting of industry, Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups and WWF, which has a common goal of securing the future of the Reef.
The discussion paper can be viewed at www.qld.gov.au/greatbarrierreef. Submissions close on April 7.
