Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said she would chair the Reef Protection Implementation Taskforce comprising organisations such as Agforce, Canegrowers Queensland, and Growcom.
(Media-Newswire.com) - An agricultural industry taskforce will begin meeting next month to advise the Bligh Government on how to best implement new legislation designed to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said she would chair the Reef Protection Implementation Taskforce comprising organisations such as Agforce, Canegrowers Queensland, and Growcom.
A dozen groups will be invited to form the taskforce which will focus on rolling out best farming practice in the affected Reef catchments – Burdekin Dry Tropics; Wet Tropics and Mackay-Whitsunday.
“Earlier this month, I introduced in State Parliament legislation designed to reduce the levels of farm chemicals and sediment harming the Reef,” Ms Jones said.
“An integral part of the Bill is the requirement for affected graziers and sugar cane farmers to apply no more than the optimum amount of fertiliser to their soil.
“At the time, I promised that I would use industry input to determine the methodology for calculating optimum amounts of fertiliser in different soils.
“I’m making good on that commitment. This taskforce will be crucial in making the new laws successful once passed.
“Other areas expected to be covered by the taskforce include chemical controls and environmental risk management plans. In addition, the State Government will be working with farmer organisations to ensure the new requirements are introduced gradually over time to allow farmers time to adjust.”
Organisations invited to form the Reef Protection Taskforce include Agforce Queensland, Canegrowers Queensland, Queensland Farmers Federation, Australian Cane Farmers Association, Queensland Dairy Farmers Organisation, Croplife, Growcom, Fertiliser Industry Federation of Australia, Proserpine Sugar Milling Association, Mackay Sugar, CSR and BSES ( sugarcane industry research and development ). 29 June, 2009 MEDIA CONTACT: Joshua Cooney 3336 8004
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