MEDIA RELEASE – 13th November 2023
Last week the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) released a discussion paper on the National Agriculture and Land Sectoral Plan to reach net zero by 2050.
The Plan provides an opportunity to acknowledge that Australia’s agricultural sector is already feeling the effects of climate change, and achieving net zero is vital to ensure a sustainable future for our farmers.
The discussion paper is open for public feedback via haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au, closing at 5pm on December 13, 2023.
The Greens are disappointed at the lack of effort made by the government to ensure key community members are aware of the consultation process and the short timeframes for feedback, and are calling on DAFF to extend the consultation period to at least 90 days.
DAFF would be well aware that many farmers across regional Victoria and Australia are either in, or gearing up for, harvest and would have reduced capacity to submit feedback at this time.
The timing and duration of this submission process demonstrates how our primary producers are taken for granted, and the systems that govern them are dictated by people who are removed from the realities of farming and the seasonal pressures of harvest.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO DR SARAH MANSFIELD
“Agriculture and the livestock industry are some of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, but Australian agriculture has the potential to be a leading industry towards our national net zero goals. Therefore it is crucial that this plan gets it right.”
“To get it right there must be sufficient time available for feedback from all those with a stake in the future of agriculture – including First Nations, organic, biodynamic, regenerative, and agro-ecology communities.”
“A 5 week consultation period during the busiest time of year for farmers is unfair, and suggests the Federal Government isn’t really serious about this plan.”
“I urge the Federal department to extend the consultation period so everyone can have a say.”
Feature Image: Tori Simpson
Agriculture and Land Sectoral Plan | Have Your Say – Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
MEDIA CONTACT
Hilary McAllister
EMAIL: hilary.mcallister@parliament.vic.gov.au
PHONE: (03) 5222 1941
