Conserved Area recognition must remain a voluntary process. The compulsory acquisition of private and/or leasehold land from primary producers and farming families by Australian Governments as a mechanism to deliver upon the national 30 x 30 target is not a policy supported by the agriculture sector. Such measures will have detrimental impacts for domestic food and fibre production, international food security, and regional community viability, and will unjustly encroach upon the property rights of farming families. NFF understands that the Minister for Environment has made commitments on several occasions that the recognition of OECMs or Conserved Areas ‘would always be voluntary’ and ‘only be recognised with the landowner’s consent’.
Read the full submission here.