PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT ON 'PRIME' AGRICULTURAL LAND IS REDUCING TASMANIA'S AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT.
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2001 19:14:58 +1000
From: "Cath Hughes" <cath.hughes at parliament.tas.gov.au> Subject: Plantations report
Dear all, below is Peg's initial response to th Wise Lord and Ferguson report on rural land use for your information.
Regards, Cath Hughes Advisor Peg Putt MHA ----------------------------- TASMANIAN GREENS MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 14 JUNE 2001
PLANTATION EXPANSION THREATENS AGRICULTURE New $50, 000 Report Whitewashes Concerns
The Tasmanian Greens say that the dramatic expansion in forestry plantations across private land in the past few years is threatening agricultural production, particularly in beef, seed potato and organic farming.
Greens MHA Peg Putt is critical of the Wise, Lord and Ferguson report into changing rural land use which identifies a 20% increase in plantations on private land in the decade to 1998 and a further 20% increase in just 2 years to 2000 but then claims no impact on agriculture whilst relying upon 1997 figures for agriculture which pre-date the recent plantations boom.
The Greens are concerned that the government's approach is not pro-active and there will only be reporting of adverse impacts of plantations on other rural land users after the event.
"Clearly there has been a huge expansion in plantations very recently, which continues, but government is not taking seriously the threat to other areas of agriculture such as beef production, organic farming and seed potato," Ms Putt said.
"Plantations are claimed to target class 4 and 5 land on small lots peripheral to cropping areas which sets up a particular conflict with organic production by small holders who have been seeking the same lots for the clean ground and affordability."
"There has been strong and escalating conflict between plantation establishment with its accompanying herbicide and pesticide regimes and fledgling organic farming."
"The Australian Beef Association is on the public record warning this year that Tasmania's beef industry could collapse because of increased competition from forestry plantations."
'World demand for quality clean beef is at an all time high because of mad cow disease and Europe's foot and mouth disaster, and we should all be concerned about losing the opportunity to expand production for this market," Ms Putt said. ***ends***
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