Farmers frustrated as Labor–Greens environment law change axes clearing exemptions
Politicians, farmers and community leaders have expressed their frustration at legislation changes which could see farmers punished for clearing vegetation on their own land.
Queensland farmers clearing weeds and vegation from their properties could now be breaking the law following recent changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Under the new legislation backed by the Labor and Greens parties, vegetation that is 15 years or older that was previously locked under state legislation will now be captured by federal laws and will require federal government approval to remove.
Under the Great Barrier Reef catchment control The “existing use rights” exemption won’t apply to clearing within 50 metres of a watercourse, wetland, or drainage line in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park catchment and non‑forestry clearing on land that hasn’t been cleared for at least 15 years.
Clearing that’s likely to significantly impact a protected matter will now need referral and approval.
Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett called upon the federal Labor government to reverse the decision, warning devastating impacts on primary producers.
“The recent changes to the EPBC act will have a significant detrimental effect on the primary industry in this state,” he said.
“The federal Labor government are running roughshod over Queensland’s primary producers, something that disturbs me enormously and something I call on the federal government to reverse immediately.
“There’s been no consultation with Queensland and no consultation with the people it will effect and these effects are significant, the impact on primary production will be felt immediately.”
Mr Perrett said the legislation had been hurried through parliament, without consulting primary producers.
“These laws have been rushed through the senate, the Federal Labor Party have done a deal with the Greens and whenever the Labor Party touch environmental laws farmers never win,” he said.
“These laws went through the lower house at the end of October and they were referred to the senate for consideration. The public submission for those proposed changes were to close this Friday and the federal senate was to then report back to the parliament in March next year.
“This would have given the opportunity for everyone in primary industry to have their say but unfortunately it has been rushed through.”
He said mum and dad farmers could now be unknowingly breaking the law and risking harsh fines and penalties.
“The law focuses on the vegetation management and the ability for farmers to be able continue the practices that have been lawful in Queensland for a number of decades to manage regrowth,” he said.
“In areas like the Darling Downs any vegetation that is 15 years or older that is locked in under state legislation will now be captured by these federal laws and will require federal government approval to remove.
“It will create a situation where lawful practices in this state will become immediately unlawful and something that can turn hard working farmers into criminals.”
Condamine MP Pat Weir said he was concerned about the the impact of these laws.
“The area of Condamine will be impacted, We have the highest concentration of intensive livestock feeding and two very large abattoirs, if the production lines to supply those feedlots and abattoirs are hindered by this legislation it will have a direct financial impact,” he said.
“The timber side also worries me a lot, a lot of these towns may be ag towns but they are also timber towns and if this is going to affect the livelihood of the timber workers in this area this is also of grave concern.”
AgForce Queensland General President Shane McCarthy who appeared alongside Mr Perret and Mr Weir at a press conference argued Australian farmers were some of the most environmentally minded individuals.
“Australian farmers are more environmentally friendly and productive than anywhere else in the world, we live in the driest continent on earth and we do it better than anyone else,” he said.
“There are reports that we are 45 per cent more environmentally friendly than our peers, so that is the standard we already hold and to impose more stringent laws puts production at risk.
“Our guys produce what they do and they do it so environmentally friendly on some of the harshest environments in the world, they look after the land and they live and breath their environment everyday.
“They know how to manage that country they have been managing it for generations and they will manage it for generations to come.”
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Originally published as Farmers frustrated as Labor–Greens environment law change axes clearing exemptions
