Support for vegetation framework

ONE of Queensland’s largest peak agriculture industry groups has strongly endorsed the current vegetation management framework put in place by the former LNP government in 2013.

Shadow Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps welcomed the clear statement of support by AgForce for the LNP’s 2013 vegetation management reforms.

Mr Cripps said he worked closely with AgForce during the successful 2016 campaign to defend the LNP’s vegetation management reforms from being overturned by Labor and the Greens.

“The LNP believes AgForce’s proposals for more area management plans based on different bioregions and clearer assessment processes for high-value agriculture projects have merit, and we stand ready to discuss further details with them,” Mr Cripps said.

“We are also prepared to discuss a staged approach for large greenfield projects with a high-value agriculture approval, without compromising the security of that project approval.

“These are sensible proposals which seek to use existing vegetation management laws to deliver opportunities for farmers and landholders to grow Queensland’s agriculture sector.

“In addition, AgForce has proposed an ongoing partnership to provide knowledge and information to farmers and landholders about their rights and responsibilities, which makes sense to me.”

Mr Cripps said he was pleased to see AgForce support all of the key aspects of the LNP’s 2013 vegetation management reforms.