Weekly Bulletin

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18 Jan 2010 WEEKLY BULLETIN January 18 2010

POOR PROGRESS WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE BASIN PLAN
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) last week questioned the future of the irrigation industry in the Murray Darling Basin under the Basin plan. In a statement reported in the Australian Financial Review recently, Mike Taylor, Chairman of the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), made it clear that the Authority is bound by the Commonwealth Water Act to give priority to the environmental health of rivers before the interests of irrigators. Mr Taylor was responding to ongoing concerns from irrigators about their livelihoods and environmentalists about the health of the river system under the Basin plan to be released in the middle of this year. The QFF is well aware of the constraints in the Water Act which gives priority to environmental issues.
QFF submissions during the drafting of the Act in 2007 were very critical that the draft legislation failed to require that the Basin Plan specifically address the enhancement of economic and social development opportunities of local Basin communities. The requirements for the preparation of the Basin Plan in the Water Act do not provide for necessary management objectives, outcomes and monitoring programs for the Basins economic and social assets compared with the detail in respect of the Basin’s environmental assets.
At a two-day forum in mid-December organised by the MDBA, representatives of peak organisations considered how sustainable diversion limits (SDLs) will be assessed in the preparation of the Basin Plan. QFF and irrigator representatives from the Queensland Murray Darling catchments at the forum (again) raised concerns about insufficient attention being given to seeking a balance between economic, social and environmental issues in the setting of SDLs. For a full copy of the text of this commentary, click here.

COAL SEAM GAS APPLICATION - DALBY AREA
Irrigators in the Dalby area have raised concerns with QFF regarding a notice in the local paper that Arrow Energy is making an application under the Environmental Protection Act for coal seam gas developments on their gas leases in the area. Submissions on the application are required within eight business days but the application can only be viewed / copied in the offices of DERM in Brisbane. Arrow Energy is seeking approval for an environmental management plan for the Dalby Expansion Project which involves drilling of up to 300 wells on leases west of Dalby to maintain existing domestic gas supply contracts and additional wells for eventual supply to the Gladstone LNG project. The Dalby project forms part of the company’s wider gas developments in the Surat Basin. The company is preparing their own environmental impact assessment for this wider project. The project also involves pipelines that gather gas and water for treatment at integrated treatment facilities. Apart from providing details of the project, the environmental management plan outlines important environmental and social assets in the area of the leases and assesses project activities, potential impacts and management strategies to address the impacts. QFF has raised concerns with the Department about the poor level of information about the project proposal made available in the Dalby area and the very limited time available for preparing a submission. QFF will be further consulting with the Department, company and irrigators regarding ongoing concerns about the project proposal and the process involved.

2010 THE YEAR OF BIODIVERSITY
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) last week released a statement announcing 2010 as the ‘International Year of Biodiversity’. Biodiversity is of critical interest to farmers the statement said, since biodiversity and agriculture are inter-dependent and both are pivotal in addressing looming climate change and food security pressures. The NFF says the challenge before the Australian Government – as with world governments – is striking the right balance between biodiversity while, at the same time, ensuring that farmers are able to increase food production by the 70 per cent needed in 2050 to feed a projected world population of nine billion people. NFF President David Crombie said Australian farmers are crucial to conserving ecosystems, and this is reflected in Australia’s Environmental Stewardship program which has been overwhelming embraced by farmers over the past two years.

MURRAY-DARLING BASIN STATES SIGN ON WATER REFORM
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong last week issued a statement advising that a key milestone for the sustainable future of the Murray-Darling Basin had been achieved with the signing of the Water Management Partnership Agreements between New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. Senator Wong said the Agreements would allow for funding initiatives under the July 2008 Intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform. Under these Agreements, the Basin States will undertake a series of water reforms to ensure the sustainable use of Basin water resources, and help Basin communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.
QFF understands that this agreement paves the way for the implementation of programs of investment in water use efficiency measures on farm and in schemes within the Queensland Murray Darling catchments and the sharing of efficiency gains between growers for use on farm and the Commonwealth for environmental needs. However this announcement still does not mean that funds have been approved to implement these programs after two years of investigation and intergovernmental debate. How much longer this will take is anyone’s guess.
The implementation of the program to buyback licences to provide for environmental needs is also proceeding at snail’s pace in the Queensland Murray Darling. The Department of Environment Water Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) has advised that water purchases in the Queensland Murray Darling catchments remain at 5,325ML at the end of December with no additional purchases recorded in the last quarter of the year.

MEMBER NEWS

WHAT’S AHEAD FOR COTTON AUSTRALIA IN 2010
Cotton Australia has last week issued a statement highlighting the issues that lie ahead in 2010. Cotton Australia’s strategic plan outlines the critical issues for the cotton industry in the next five years, with water, climate change and 2,4D drift high on the agenda for 2010. Cotton Australia’s planning cycle begins with a strategic Board session in mid-December, and is finalised with a detailed Annual Operating Plan, that begins on April 1 2010. Some of the likely issues and activities for the New Year include;
• Continued lobbying and engagement of politicians and key decision makers on issues of water, climate change and R&D;
• Influencing the Basin Plan, to be released mid-year, as well as the Federal Government’s water buyback and on-farm infrastructure programs and transition to Basin Plan arrangements
• Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and agriculture’s involvement (Ag excluded at this stage, but need to keep a watching brief in this area)

GROWERS WATCHING BRIEF ON ASIAN INTEREST IN CSR
Interest in CSR by one of the largest food companies in the world, Chinese-owned Bright Foods, has stormed media and financial commentary last week and cane growers are keeping a watching brief on developments that would potentially impact the business of cane growing in Australia. CANEGROWERS CEO Ian Ballantyne said that the industry is pleased that the Chinese have recognised the importance of the relationship with suppliers from the outset. Mr Ballantyne went on to say that growers had supported the demerger of the sugar business– particularly in its dealings with its suppliers. He said that at this early stage, it was unclear as to whether Bright Foods would merely roll the sugar business into its conglomerate or retain some local (Australian) independence.

OTHER NEWS

ENCOURAGING FUTURE PRIMARY INDUSTRY GRADUATES
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke recently launched a new initiative that provides financial and mentoring support for up to ten young Australians who are committed to contributing to Australia’s rural sector. The 'Investing in Youth Undergraduate Studentship Program' encourages school leavers to think about a career in primary industries. The program aims to attract more young Australians into the field of primary industries study by providing them with financial assistance throughout their degrees, as well as giving them tailored support in the form of professional and experienced mentors. Applications can be downloaded from the RIRDC website or by contacting RIRDC on 6271 4100. Applications close COB Friday January 29, 2010.

REMINDER - FURTHER RURAL EXEMPTIONS REMOVED
The removal of further exemptions for the rural industry occurred on September 1 2009 requiring all rural property workers to be aware and comply with the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 (Regulation). The removal of these exemptions for the rural industry is part of the staged removal over two years from September 1 2008 to September 1 2010 to bring the rural industry in line with other Queensland industries. This two-year staged removal ensures relevant persons in the rural industry are able to obtain appropriate training, education, certification and licensing where required. The exemptions being revoked on September 1 2009 involve rural activities in demolition, construction work and the use 0f hazardous substances. Information to assist rural workers has been developed in rural fact sheet 27 Construction Work at Rural Workplaces and rural fact sheet 28 Rural Industry Exemptions. A new rural chemicals guide will also be available soon to rural workplaces containing information on herbicides, pesticides, hazardous substances, dangerous goods, flammable liquids, and agricultural and veterinary medicines. For more information about the process for staging changes to rural industry exemptions or managing rural chemicals refer to www.worksafe.qld.gov.au. Rural industry exemptions have been removed progressively since 1990 in line with an agreement between rural industry peak bodies and successive governments. Further exemptions will be removed in 2010 regarding registered plant designs, high risk work, workplace health and safety officers, confined spaces and atmospheric contaminants. Courtesy Queensland Workplace Health & Safety.

NEW LOOK FOR LANDCARE WITH NATIONAL FACILITATOR APPOINTED
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has welcomed the previous QPIF Sustainable Agriculture Director, Brett de Hayr as the new National Landcare facilitator. Mr Burke said the appointment of Mr de Hayr was an important step in the continued reinvigoration of Landcare in Australia. Mr de Hayr said he was looking forward to a fresh start with Landcare, working closely with the national community of Landcare facilitators. For more information visit www.daff.gov.au/landcare.

RURAL R&D COUNCIL INVESTMENT PLAN STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
Rural industries have made an enduring contribution to the Australian economy and quality of life, by providing a plentiful domestic food supply and operating successfully in competitive international markets. The sector has been innovative and continually adapted to changing economic, environmental and social conditions. Investment in research and development has been a major factor in this success. However, rural industries now face a confluence of significant challenges, including: a need to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change; increasing pressure on global food security; declining productivity growth in some industries; a highly competitive international trade environment, and labour and skills shortages. The Rural R&D Council welcomes your views regarding how greater investment can be encouraged and how we can best use our existing resources to meet the challenges. To make a submission click here. Submissions close February 19 2010.

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