The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) vehemently opposes the Greens’ proposal to remove continuing use provisions and ban native forestry in exchange for passing the Albanese Government’s Nature Positive bills.
NFF Deputy CEO Charlie Thomas slammed the proposal as a dangerous overreach that threatens the viability of Australian agriculture.
“This ill-conceived plan from the Greens demonstrates a profound lack of understanding about landscape management and the realities of farming in Australia,” Mr Thomas said.
“Removing the continuing use provisions would bring agriculture to a grinding halt, subjecting every routine farm action to a complex and lengthy approval process.”
The NFF explained that the Greens’ proposal on continuing use would:
- create an unworkable regulatory burden for farmers;
- ignore the existing robust state-level regulations on land management; and,
- overwhelm the Commonwealth’s capacity to process assessments and approvals.
The NFF also warned that a ban on native timber harvesting should not be entertained.
“The Greens’ attempt to strike down an entire industry through hasty amendments is just irresponsible politicking,” Mr Thomas emphasised.
“Regional Forest Agreements are the result of careful, comprehensive processes that balance conservation with sustainable resource use.”
The NFF said the proposal on native forestry would:
- disregard the role of active forest management in maintaining forest health, achieving climate outcomes and managing fuel loads;
- threaten Australia’s timber self-sufficiency, which is already under pressure; and,
- contradict the Government’s repeated commitment to support the forestry sector and jobs it creates.
“Every farmer should be alarmed that these proposals are even being floated,” Mr Thomas warned.
“This is not a matter to be resolved through press releases at dawn. It requires thorough engagement with affected sectors and comprehensive analysis.”
The NFF is calling on the Albanese Government to categorically reject the Greens’ proposal and reaffirm its commitment to sustainable agriculture and forestry practices.
“We urge Minister Plibersek to hold the line and honour the Government’s commitments to our sectors.
“The future of Australian agriculture and our national food security depends on maintaining sensible, workable environmental regulations,” Mr Thomas concluded.
Background information on native timber harvesting
- Native timber harvesting in Australia is sustainably managed and regulated to the highest environmental standards in the world to produce essential timber products that we all need, such as floorboards, decking, and joinery for our homes, firewood, and pallets.
- Australia has 132 million hectares of native forest area, and a huge area is already protected for conservation and biodiversity or otherwise unavailable or unsuitable for forestry operations. A tiny amount – less than 0.06% of the estate or the equivalent of six trees out of every 10,000 – is harvested annually and then regenerated by law, ensuring there is no net loss of forest area.
- Timber harvesting occurs almost exclusively in areas that have previously been harvested and then regenerated.
- In Australia, all forestry activities on public land and the downstream processing is certified under the PEFC international forest certification standard, operating as Responsible Wood in Australia.
- In contrast, much of the world’s timber-producing forests are not certified at all and are at high risk of illegal logging, poor working conditions and contributing to deforestation (as they are not replanted and regenerated).
- With high demand in Australia and globally for hardwood products for applications such as floorboards, staircases and furniture, an end to Australia’s native forest industries would lead to a significant increase in imports from countries with weaker environmental regulations, including those where tropical rainforests are logged unsustainably and illegally.
Stacey Davidson