NEW England MP Barnaby Joyce has hit back at claims his agriculture white paper lacks vision on climate change, saying that is “absurd”.
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The Agriculture Minister launched his long-awaited $4 billion Agriculture Competitiveness White Paper on Saturday alongside Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Opposition agriculture spokes-man Joel Fitzgibbon criticised the paper, claiming there was “no meaningful recognition of our changing climate” and sustainability, a call echoed by the Greens.
Mr Joyce disagreed.
“I think it’s absurd. We are investing in the Bureau of Meteorology to actually predict climate change,” Mr Joyce said. “We are putting money into building more dams to mitigate against the big dry.”
In a bid to enhance water security for farmers, $300 million will be poured into new dams and water infrastructure, adding to $200 million recently announced for dams in northern Australia.
A further $100 million has been dedicated to research and development, and $100 million to boost emergency pest and disease eradication and better control methods against pest animals and weeds.
Mr Joyce said tax breaks for fencing, fodder and water infrastructure (which were announced in this year’s budget and have already taken effect), as well as funding for research, all did their bit to deal with climate change.
Mr Joyce said tax breaks would benefit farmers in the New England North West doing it tough in drought.
He said Dungowan Dam was well-placed to take advantage of funding promised under the scheme.
Mr Fitzgibbon slammed the white paper, saying it lacked substance, was “a grab-bag of promises” and the $4 billion figure was “a mirage”.
The government may be able to recuperate $250 million promised under the white paper, as those funds have been set aside for a concessional loans scheme for drought-affected farmers over the next 11 years.
The white paper says a dedicated agriculture commissioner will be appointed to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, to monitor market disputes between farmers and the supermarket chains, such as Woolworths and Coles.
Another $14 million has been funnelled into the creation of farm co-operatives, collective bargaining and alternative business models.
The white paper was plagued by long delays, after the government promised it would be released within 12 months of the 2013 election.
