Green Paper heading in the right direction

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) has welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s Agricultural Competitiveness Green Paper.

The paper was unveiled at the National Farmer’s Federation 2014 Congress by Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP in Canberra today. It identifies nine key policy principles including reducing unnecessary regulation at all levels of Government, maintaining access for all Australians to high-quality and affordable fresh food, infrastructure for the 21st century and greater returns to the farm gate.

TFGA CEO Jan Davis said that the Green Paper was heading in the right direction with its attempt to stop unjustified over-regulation.

“In its submission earlier this year the TFGA called for an end to burdensome regulations at all levels of Government,’’ Ms Davis said.

“Farmers simply can’t continue to absorb the excess costs that result. It will put paid to our capacity to drive much needed growth for Tasmania.”

The TFGA has also emphasised the importance of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) to the State’s farmers.

“There is no road across Bass Strait; that is what needs to be remembered when future infrastructure decisions are being made. It is vital that the TFES is maintained to ensure that Tasmanian farmers can continue to compete with their counterparts in other states,’’ Ms Davis said.

She said that it was pleasing that the paper acknowledged the work of Tasmanian Irrigation (TI).

“TI is working closely with private landholders to establish how much water is wanted and sharing the cost of the schemes between the public and the private sector.

“The fact that five Tasmanian irrigation projects (Southern Highlands, Scottsdale, Circular Head, Swan Valley and North Esk) are high on the agenda to receive federal investment in the next 12 months is testament to the work that they are doing.”

Ms Davis said that, in the end, it would be up to industry to ensure that the government remained focused on the policy’s key objective.

“A better return for our farm gate sounds good in theory, but it will be up to all of us to make sure that the government keeps its promises.”

The Paper is open for comment until December 12.
TFGA CEO Jan Davis