Farmers warning on EPA reforms
Victoria’s leading farming group has warned that new environmental reforms being considered by the State Government could lead to inflamed tensions between farmers and other residents in rural communities.
Under a planned overhaul of the Environmental Protection Authority Act, the authority would have new powers and a multi-million dollar funding boost to investigate environmental complaints.
The Victorian Farmers Federation is concerned the proposed reforms, which include expanding the EPA presence into local government across the state, are ripe for abuse if environmental officers are given resources to investigate every complaint in farming zones.
VFF president David Jochinke said there was a major concern that people who failed to understand the nature of commercial farming could make complaints just because they did not like a smell, noise or the dust.
“We don’t want a system that lets people make nuisance complaints if farmers are already following the law,” he said.
“This means the government needs to give us peace of mind that this won’t occur by outlining strict guidelines for investigating complaints.”
Mr Jochinke said farmers should be trusted to comply with environmental laws and argued the framework being championed by the government could infringe on a farmer’s right to farm.
“It’s in farmers’ best interest to do the right thing on their land,” he said.
“We do not need more laws to watch over us and see that we manage our land appropriately.
“Farmers are concerned their right to farm could be taken away if any person is able to ring up their local EPA officer and tell them to investigate smells or noises they do not like.”
Mr Jochinke said the VFF had vowed to work with the government to refine the proposal to minimise the possible impact on farmers.
“Commercial farming businesses, operating within industry guidelines, need to be supported so they can continue to grow the food and fibre required by all Victorians and which is a keystone of our economy,” he said.