NSW Farmers' president Fiona Simson said yesterday's announcement was an important first step in securing the community's confidence that coal seam gas mining would not damage aquifers and strategic agricultural land.

Ms Simson said The Nationals, including member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, were to be applauded for brokering a way through the very complex issue by striking a balance.

Ms Simson said NSW Farmers' had supported its members all the way through their plight and could now focus on working towards a much better process of land protection.

She said the association had been pursuing all levels of government and engaging in discussions with mining and coal seam gas companies to make sure that its members no longer had to blockade farming land to ensure its safety.

"We don't want farmers to have to keep doing this: the pressure this blockade placed on farming families that are also trying to harvest was untenable and it shouldn't have to happen," she said.

Ms Simson said the state government now needed to show its hand on whether it believed new, invasive exploration should be put on hold right across NSW until appropriate protections were in place.