The state’s peak farming body, the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, applauded the Liberals’ agricultural policy package, which was released today.
“It sets the benchmark for the other parties,” TFGA chief executive Jan Davis said. “because we have yet to see the detail of their policies, with only 10 days to go to the election.”
“It is gratifying to see the Liberals focused clearly on agriculture as a key economic driver for Tasmania, and recognizing the important role farmers play in supporting local communities,” she said.
Ms Davis made particular mention of the Liberals’ initiative to not only commit $30 million to the second tranche of irrigation schemes, which the ALP has also done, but also to spend $500,000 exploring the potential for the new schemes around the state to connect to older schemes, to modernise them and bring irrigation water onto farms not currently served.
“This is a really good idea,” Ms Davis said, “and takes irrigation development to the next logical stage.”
She said the Liberals had also addressed two issues that were particularly important to farmers.
The Liberals have pledged to review the Primary Industry Activities Protection Act 1995, which establishes at law the right of a farmer to continue their farming activities without unnecessary interference.
“That law has been somewhat overridden by other legislation and we want it reviewed and strengthened so that farmers are not subject to nuisance litigation and planning actions,” Ms Davis said.
She said farmers also welcomed the Liberals’ commitment to a Good Neighbour Charter that sets out neighbours’ expectations of each other in terms of the management of pests and weeds, boundary fences and fire. This is of great concern to farmers with state-owned land as neighbours.
The TFGA will be releasing its analysis of the position on rural matters of all parties next week.
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis
