The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has responded to the release today of the first National Environmental Standards under the EPBC Act.
NFF President Hamish McIntyre said the standards for Matters of National Environmental Significance, Environmental Offsets, Data and Information, and Community Engagement would determine the next phase of environmental approvals and the Federal Government’s agreements with states and territories.
“These standards go to one of the biggest issues our members are raising with us: how farmers can continue to manage dynamic, productive landscapes with confidence under the reformed EPBC Act,” Mr McIntyre said.
“These rules are complex, uncertain and counterintuitive. For example, if a farmer can demonstrate their actions are not likely to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance, then the standards won’t apply. But, when referrals are deemed necessary, then the standards can apply.
“Farmers manage more than half the Australian landscape. They need rules that are clear, practical and grounded in the realities of farming systems.”
The NFF has been engaged in the reform process for years and recognises the intent of National Environmental Standards to deliver greater alignment, certainty and consistency. However, Mr McIntyre said the stop-start consultation process and recent rush to implementation had left farmers with serious questions about how the standards will work in practice.
“This is the first time these standards have been seen together in final form. We need to understand how they interact with each other, how they will be interpreted, and how they will underpin bilateral agreements with the states,” Mr McIntyre said.
“Our concern is that implementation focuses on major development proposals while agriculture – the sector most exposed to uncertainty from recent changes to continuous use provisions – is left behind.”
Mr McIntyre said the Government must now make a significant investment in practical implementation support for agriculture, including reliable mapping, farmer-designed decision support tools and trusted extension services.
“Farmers are asking for a system they can understand and implement, one that recognises the unique nature of agricultural landscapes and avoids perverse outcomes.”
“The NFF remains of the view that changes to continuous use provisions were unnecessary and should be reconsidered. In the meantime, agriculture must be at the centre of implementation.”