Farmers furious at vegetation laws fiasco

FRUSTRATED North Queensland farmers have criticised the State Government’s handling of new vegetation management laws calling them “rushed and ridiculous”.

The Labor Government’s proposed laws would ban broadscale clearing of remnant vegetation for agriculture, increase penalties for illegal clearing and require farmers to get approval to thin vegetation.

Charters Towers farmer Blair Knuth said the laws were an “almightily land grab” that would unfairly impact North Queensland producers.

“It’s all right down south where they’ve had a chance to develop their agricultural land but because the blocks were larger here many farmers didn’t need to develop remnant vegetation and now they won’t have the chance,” he said. Mr Knuth said producers needed to ensure their voices were heard at one of the five committee hearings to be held in regional Queensland next week.

“I think it’s disgraceful that the committee process has been so rushed ... this isn’t about science or best policy it’s about political agendas,” he said.

AgForce general president Grant Maudsley said minimal information about the laws had been communicated to farmers.

“What we do know is the laws will mean more red tape for farmers trying to feed their animals during drought, and these laws will make it more difficult for farmers to ensure the right balance of trees and grass on their properties to reduce erosion and maintain productivity,” he said.

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said the policy would maintain biodiversity, reduce land degradation and protect water quality.

“The changes proposed in this legislation are backed by science,” she said.

A regional hearing on the new laws will be held in Townsville on March 27.