Local farmers are calling for an independent inquiry into layers of red and green tape which they say are harming productivity and Bundaberg Regional Council has supported their advocacy efforts.
Bundaberg Ag-Food & Fibre Alliance Ltd (BAFFA) is running a Check the Science campaign calling for a Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC) review of the science behind major policy decisions which it says are devastating the State’s core primary industries of farming, fisheries and forestry.
BAFFA Company Secretary Tanya Howard said environmental regulation of the industry was accepted as important and necessary but the industry was asking for this review to ensure the scientific assumptions underpinning the regulations for Queensland’s primary industries were supported by measurable outcomes.
“The QPC is ideally positioned to undertake checking of the science underpinning layers of red and green tape that are causing significant time and financial burdens,” Ms Howard said.
BAFFA sought local government support through the Bundaberg Regional Council’s Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee, which was established following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Council and local industry bodies.
“Farmers are committed stewards of the land and abide by regulations put in place to protect the environment,” Ms Howard, who is also Manager of Bundaberg Canegrowers, said.
“But they need to know the regulations are based on proven science which has been independently checked.
“Farmers constantly face major hurdles in putting food and drink on tables right across Australia.
“The layers of red and green tape are devastating to primary producers across our region and statewide and are costing them huge amounts of time and money.”
Ms Howard added that primary producers were not “vandals”.
“They care for our land and water, to keep the soil healthy and the water supply clean and available.
“They need this as much as – if not more than – anyone else.”
In response to the request made to the Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee Mayor Helen Blackburn recently moved a Mayoral Minute at an Ordinary Meeting to cement Council’s support.
It received unanimous support from Councillors.
“Bundaberg’s agricultural sector has never been more innovative, but what I’m hearing from local growers is that significant hurdles exist in governmental bureaucracy that must be addressed as a priority,” Cr Blackburn told the meeting.
“Our farmers are navigating rising input costs, workforce challenges, weather pressures and volatile markets.
“Too often, they are also required to deal with layers of approvals, permits and reporting obligations that add cost and delay to everyday farming operations.
“Of course, environmental protections and compliance frameworks have an important role to play.
“However, regulation should be practical, proportionate and based on current science.”
Mayor Blackburn has since written to State and Federal Ministers formally requesting a review of compliance requirements affecting Bundaberg region farmers.
In the letter, she has made a request that any such requirements be demonstrably supported by current scientific evidence and subject to regular review, rather than being retained by default.
Mayor Blackburn said she had already received a response from Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett and Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy.
“The Ministers have acknowledged the concerns raised and I look forward to further dialogue with them in support of the agricultural sector.”
Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee
The Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee was established following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The MOU formalises a commitment by Council to consult with Bundaberg Ag-Food & Fibre Alliance Ltd (BAFFA) and Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Limited (BFVG) on Council issues likely to impact the production of food, fibre and agricultural produce in the region.
Ms Howard, a member of the committee since its inception, said Council’s advocacy support for the Check the Science campaign was a positive outcome of the MOU.
“It’s good to all have the same understanding and be on the same page, taking the same message to State and Federal governments,” she said.
“We appreciate the support of the Mayor and Councillors.”
