Jock speaks up

The NSW Farmers’ Association President Jock Laurie has used his official address to Annual Conference to call on the Federal Government to include agriculture in its carbon emissions plans, and recognise what farmers’ have already achieved.

“As an issue, Global Warming obviously is controversial. But as an industry we need to not be scared, get involved in the debate, and fight so we’re not left out of the equation,” Mr Laurie said.

“The Prime Minister has endorsed the carbon market design recommended by the Taskforce on emissions trading, but this design shields the energy sector and shifts the costs of meeting emissions targets onto ordinary consumers and farmers,” Mr Laurie said.

“The Government can talk about reductions in emissions in Australia, but this was primarily due to clearing laws that prevented farmers from developing their land.
“This saving was achieved at zero cost to government and a cost of billions of dollars to family farmers,” Mr Laurie said. “The Federal Government cannot ignore agriculture – we will not be left out of the debate,” Mr Laurie concluded.