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I fully agree with Chris Sanderson that we
shouldn't blame farmers in general for the problems of native vegetation
decline. There are countless examples (I know of a number in the Clarence
Valley) where farmers are involved in native vegetation protection, wetland
restoration and other ecologically positive actions. The legislation is
really only for the minority of farmers who wish to expoit loopholes for their
own purposes. It doesn't take too many farmers to do a large amount of
damage.
We must get the legislation right (for the minority
of cowboys) and then encourage and assist the majority of farmers who do care
about the land and its ecosystems. We should not forget that it was only
recently that tax incentives were given to clear vegetation and
in post war soldier land grants a condition was that the land was to
be cleared within a time limit. Governments have been encouraging and even
forcing farmers to clear land for decades and now governments want farmers to
stop! It will take a little time to work it through to a positive outcome
for all. Continued land clearing is not in the interests of the farming
community either.
Congratulations to the farmers who are farming
sustainably.
Regards
Greg
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