2026-27 Safeguard Mechanism Review
NFF does not support a policy architecture that increasingly relies on agriculture to supply lower-cost offsets for residual emissions generated elsewhere in the economy. Agriculture cannot be taken for granted to do the heavy lifting for other sectors that carry on as business-as-usual, particularly where those sectors have access to more established and mature opportunities […]
Water Act Review must deliver balance, certainty and better outcomes
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has lodged its submission to the independent review of the Water Act 2007, calling for a modern, balanced framework that delivers environmental outcomes while achieving production outcomes. NFF Water Committee Chair Malcolm Holm said the review was a chance to ensure Australia’s water laws are fit for purpose and reflect […]
Water Act 2007 (Cth) Review – Public Consultation
The context in which the Water Act operates has evolved considerably since its commencement. National water information arrangements are more developed, Commonwealth institutions and regulatory functions are well established, State and Territory water planning and entitlement systems have continued to mature, and the broader intergovernmental water policy landscape has become increasingly complex. Within the Basin, […]
Farmers need certainty, not confusion, from new environmental standards
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 […]
Proposed Change to the Soil Organic Carbon Method 2021 Supplement
In responding to these findings, it is equally important that changes preserve confidence among farmers and project proponents alike who have made long-term investment decisions based on existing methodology settings. While integrity is fundamental, so too is confidence that Scheme settings will remain sufficiently stable for those undertaking long-term investment decisions. We recognise that the […]
Fossil Methane: A Near-Term Abatement Opportunity
It is important to note that a stronger focus on reducing fossil methane emissions must not come at the expense of reduced support for innovation and research and development within agriculture. Agriculture remains hard-to-abate, and available methane reduction technologies vary significantly between production systems. Continued public and private investment is required to develop commercially viable […]
NFF warns EPBC guide leaves farmers with more questions than answers
Comments attributable to NFF Sustainable Development Committee Chair, Angus Atkinson The Federal Government has today released its first guide for farmers and agricultural landholders on changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The National Farmers’ Federation is extremely concerned it does not enable food and fibre producers to make informed decisions about routine management […]
Dog days ahead if funding fails
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling on the Federal Government to urgently commit funding to wild dog control, as the nation’s leading management program faces an uncertain future. Funding for the National Wild Dog Management Coordinator is due to expire at the end of September, with funding for the National Wild Dog Action Plan […]
Draft Report: Independent Review of the Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed
The Draft Report characterises the modelled impacts on downstream water users as relatively small and manageable – we do not accept that characterisation. While the modelling indicates that high-security entitlements remain unaffected, it identifies potential reductions in general security diversions of around 2-3% in drier years and reductions in end-of-year allocations of between 1-3%. This […]
Nature Repair (Enhanced Native Vegetation) Methodology Determination
The NFF’s original submission in November 2025 raised significant concerns about the restriction of projects to selected IBRA subregions in eastern and south-western Australia. The NFF argued that this substantially constrained participation, particularly across northern Australia and grazing and native-pasture landscapes, and recommended consideration of percentage-based eligibility or case-by-case assessment for otherwise suitable projects. […]