The Minister for the Environment, Josh Frydenberg has announced an independent review to explore opportunities for cutting bureaucratic red tape for farmers.
Mr. Frydenberg said the review, to be led by former Productivity Commissioner, Wendy Craik, would look at the interaction between environmental law and the agriculture sector.
“Dr Wendy Craik will undertake targeted consultation to examine areas for possible red tape reduction and provide the Government with a final report by the middle of this year,” Mr Frydenberg said.
He said the review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 built on a recommendation in the Productivity Commission’s 2017 report into the regulation of Australian agriculture.
“It is important that we get the balance right between protecting our environment and allowing our agricultural sector to grow and prosper,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“The Productivity Commission’s report found it could be unduly onerous on a farmer to deal with the complexity of their requirements and actions requiring compliance with the Act.”
He said the burden of red tape costs fell disproportionately on the farmer, however Australia had a spectacular natural environment which needed to be protected and nurtured for future generations to enjoy.
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud said he saw his job as to get the Government out of farmers’ lives.
“Family businesses simply trying to manage their land are drowning in paperwork,” Mr Littleproud said.
He said life needed to be made simple for farmers to allow them to produce the best food and fibre in the world.
“We don’t want sensible projects which benefit both environment and farmer to be stalled because of mountains of paperwork,” the Minister said.
He said he wanted to hear from farmers who had practical suggestions on the issues.
Further information on the review, including the terms of reference, can be accessed from the Department of the Environment and Energy website at this PS News link.
