3 September 2024. Michael Guerin, AgForce CEO.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has just released its five yearly Outlook Report on the Reef - hot on the heels of the just published 2022 Reef Scientific Consensus Statement.
They both make it clear that, despite the ongoing vilification of agriculture by some, the main cause of concern for the Reef is Climate Change, and the repercussions of rising water temperatures.
We should not underestimate the mental health ramifications that many primary producers suffered the last time these vexed issues were raised. Many are still struggling under the burden of overly onerous and unbalanced regulations that targeted them after the release of the last Reef Scientific Consensus Statement in 2017.
Agriculture clearly has a large part to play in supporting the ongoing health of the reef. We do not shy away from that. Industry has never argued differently or backed away from its role as an important environmental steward.
What is abundantly clear however, and not acknowledged anywhere near enough, is that the causes and solutions of reef fragility lie much more broadly than simply placing that responsibility solely with food and fibre producers.
Our industry conference laid down for October 1 and 2 this year, just four weeks out from our state election, gives a precious opportunity to ponder the ramifications of policy settings such as this. It gives us the chance as a collective agriculture industry to come together with politicians from all persuasions, and with media in attendance, to have the critical conversations so needed ahead of the next term of government.
The regulatory burden currently sits disproportionately on the shoulders of primary producers in the reef catchments, and that must be rectified.
With predictions of a tight election race ahead, a strong turnout to our conference will make a material difference and represents an important investment in ensuring the next state government prioritises building balance back into key agriculture policy settings such as this.
What all Australians can know with confidence is that producers and industry want to do their bit, but not by sacrificing the food security we take for granted. And we need to communicate this effectively as well.
Seeking fair and balanced policy settings is a key enabler of that.
Hope to see you to discuss these important issues further at conference.
