Let's Not Wind Back the Clock on Land Clearing Laws
Date: 12-Aug-2004
ACF has expressed concern at Federal Government comments suggesting a move to weaken state-based regulations that protect wildlife habitat.
The comments - that the government would act to "reduce negative impacts on landholders" - come in response to the release of a Productivity Commission report on the 'Impacts of Native Vegetation and Biodiversity Regulations'.
"We're gravely concerned at any suggestion by the Commonwealth to wind back the clock on recent progress in reining-in land clearing," ACF Land & Water Co-ordinator Tim Fisher said. "Surely now the challenge is to build on these regulations with financial incentives and other measures designed to promote conservation on farms."
"Where was the Federal Government when land clearing controls were being developed for Queensland? Despite requests from the Queensland Government for Commonwealth assistance, Queensland had to go it alone.
"Before these laws, the bulldozers were running round the clock, and there's nothing sustainable about that.
"If the Federal Government is serious about conservation on farms, then it has to get serious about the scale of funding required. Together with the National Farmers' Federation, ACF's 2000 estimate of the cost to governments of 'Repairing the Country' was $3.7 billion per annum.
"ACF is disappointed by the quality of the Productivity Commission's analysis of land clearing regulations, which appear to place a disproportionate emphasis on anecdotes from those with chips on their shoulders.
"What's lacking in this report is a balanced analysis of the benefits of environmental laws and regulations - it's not just about costs, it's about the right balance of costs and benefits.
"Australia has lost too much native vegetation already - that's a fact. And worldwide, we know that the only way to bring land clearing under control is through regulation. Regulation is the starting point on which to base some of the Commission's other recommendations like rewards, incentives and education to encourage conservation on farms."