A net-zero emissions future provides a great opportunity for farmers

The recent announcement by federal Labor to target net zero emissions by 2050 provides a great opportunity for the agricultural sector in Australia to diversify and thrive.  I’ve watched with interest as some suggest this policy will wipe out Australian agriculture, just as they hypothesised the same for the fossil fuel industry. Nothing could be further from the truth. I see there is a huge opportunity for both farmers and brand Australia. However, we need to compare apples with apples – not apples to coal, as some are trying to do.

Although agricultural production contributes around 15 per cent of emissions, it also provides the greatest opportunity to reverse the current trajectory and get a two-for-one benefit in the process.

The red meat industry is committed to net zero emissions by 2030.

You see, investing in research and helping farmers change some agricultural practices will not only reduce CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions but sequestering carbon can actually reverse some of the damage. Additionally it makes famers more resilient to climate change.

Read the story from The Sydney Morning Herald by Niall Blair - “A net-zero emissions future provides a great opportunity for farmers.”

Restlessness over Queensland Government's land purchase

Queensland Environment
Minister Steven Miles.

The agricultural sector says it is being unfairly targeted by the Queensland Government after it purchased a cattle station to reduce sediment flowing into the Great Barrier Reef.

Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles announced on Wednesday the Government had bought Springvale Station in the state's north for $7 million.

Mr Miles said the reason for the purchase was to stem the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of sediment pollution flowing from the property into the Great Barrier Reef each year.

Generations of cattle grazing has caused massive gullies, etched deep into Springvale Station's 56,000 hectares.

Read the ABC Rural story - “Great Barrier Reef: Qld Government's cattle station purchase 'makes agriculture sector scapegoat.”