TasFarmers concerned over EPBC changes

TasFarmers has expressed concerns about the new Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation regulations imposed by the federal government.

Under the changes, landholders are now required to self-assess whether any clearing of regrowth – trees which haven’t been cleared in the last 15 years – will have a significant impact on anything that’s nationally protected.

If it does, they must have it assessed and approved under the EPBC Act.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt said the changes were not a blanket ban and involved farmers following the same process that miners, renewables and property developers have for years.

But TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said his organisation was concerned about the green tape measures being imposed on farmers by the change.

“Other Tasmanian stakeholders and I have been working with the Federal Government around making sure that farmers’ right to farm isn’t impeded and delivers balanced environmental outcomes with the rights of the farmer to farm as a going concern,” Mr Calman said.

A group of Tasmanian primary producers recently formed the Farmers and Landowners Action Group to protest against land-clearing regulations enforced by the Forest Practices Authority.

Since then the State Government has committed to reviewing the Forest Practices Act.

“We hear from farmers that there has been an overreach and there hasn’t been an education campaign for landholders around what they can and can’t do on their land, or consultation through that process around compensation where existing rights have been taken away,” Mr Calman said.

“We think that you always need to educate landholders before you start to prosecute them.

“However, we think there is a huge opportunity for landholders to be treated with the respect that they deserve if the FPA does need to investigate any potential wrongdoing.”