Climate change plans for agriculture under wraps
Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes is reportedly taking the lead on climate change and farming, but her office has been reluctant to release a top-level document.
SECRECY surrounds a top-level climate change document delivered to Australia’s agriculture ministers earlier this year, which outlined a drop in production figures for some sectors by 2030.
The Weekly Times requests to see the document have been punted between federal and state agriculture offices, but it is now clear a presentation on the document was given by Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes in February.
Ms Symes has reportedly “taken the lead” on addressing the impacts of climate change on farming but her office has been reluctant to release the document, with her staff saying earlier this year the document was “not one they were sharing”.
The Weekly Times understands some of the changes in the document include a major contraction in Queensland beef production between now and 2030.
It’s also understood the document was based on interim modelling work that will be presented in further detail at the next meeting of agriculture ministers in August.
Leading climate scientists from both the Australian National University and CSIRO said they were not involved in work surrounding the document but economics consulting firm, ACIL Allen, is understood to be working with the Victorian Government on climate impact modelling.
After The Weekly Times made additional requests to see the document last week Ms Symes’ office finally acknowledged the Victorian Government was developing work on behalf of all Australian governments to help agricultural industries adapt to climate change and manage emissions.
“An update was provided on this work at the Agriculture Ministers’ Forum in February but no document was tabled. This work is still in draft form and has not been completed by any jurisdiction,” a spokesman said.
Earlier this year the National Farmers’ Federation became aware of the climate work under way and complained to the Victorian Government about the lack of engagement with the farm sector.
NFF president Fiona Simson stressed the need for caution in considering any climate modelling, noting proposals for substantial emissions reductions during the election campaign were not accompanied by costings or economic impacts.
“We want to understand what the Government has in front of it and make sure it is robust and comprehensive information,” Mrs Simson said.
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