Australia
August 18, 2006
The
National Agriculture and Climate Change Action Plan,
released yesterday, is the much anticipated product of the
collaborative effort of Australia's
National Farmers’ Federation
(NFF) and
Australian Governments.
“The Plan is a great example of how the climate change issue
needs to be dealt with in Australia,” said Ben Fargher, NFF CEO.
“It provides a coordinated framework and focuses on creating a
strong, progressive and sustainable agriculture sector for the
future. It embraces research and development and promotes
climate change adaptation and emissions mitigation strategies.
“For the agriculture sector, the framework outlines our ability
to maximise opportunities and minimise the risks associated with
climate change.
“Encouragingly, emissions from the joint agriculture, fisheries
and forestry sectors have fallen by around 40% since 1990.
“Australian farmers have been able to achieve this through
sustainable native vegetation management. The Australian Bureau
of Statistics (ABS) reports that on average, each farmer plants
approximately 150 seedlings annually for conservation purposes.
“Widely implemented farming techniques to mitigate emissions
also include precision applications of fertiliser, minimum or no
till cropping practices and maintenance of permanent
groundcovers to optimise soil condition.
“NFF is now eager to take the next step to put the plan into
action and to closely scrutinise the risks and opportunities
that lie ahead. This will require ongoing collaboration and
Government support.
“Currently there is an obvious lack of information on climate
change available at the regional level for farmers to feel
confident they are making the best decisions about their future.
This plan is the first step in addressing that gap,” Mr Fargher
said.
NFF has worked closely with the Federal Government to develop
this strategic framework. Both the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of the Environment and
Heritage have been a great support in beginning to address what
NFF believes to be possibly the biggest risk facing Australian
farmers in the coming century.
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