The Miles Government has announced a boost to the state’s nature fund if re-elected, committing to invest $139.5 million to triple the size of Queensland’s nature fund and related initiatives, including increasing support for Queensland’s landholders.
QFF CEO Jo Sheppard said there is increasing demand for food and agricultural products to be produced using environmentally responsible practices with increasing economic significance placed on natural capital.
“Farmers and the agriculture sector need to be supported to maintain productivity and profitability while also preserving Queensland’s natural environment and exploring natural capital opportunities,” Ms Sheppard said.
“QFF welcomes the Miles Government election commitment to incentivise opportunities for farmers to manage protected areas that enhance their agricultural operations on their properties, while also achieving environmental outcomes.”
QFF has also welcomed new funding committed to supporting farmers to undertake carbon and biodiversity baselining for their enterprise along with extension and education support to assist farmers to make informed decisions in relation to carbon and the emerging natural capital market.
“QFF and the agriculture sector has advocated for some time that decarbonisation must be achieved with the sector, not imposed on the sector,” Ms Sheppard said.
“We recognise that that action on climate change is necessary to ensure food security, and that action on climate change must not come at the expense of food security.
“We cannot take for granted that the agriculture sector will do the heavy lifting to offset emissions from other sectors that carry on with business as usual.”
QFF has outlined 11 environmental priorities for Queensland farmers and the agriculture sector ahead of the State Election in October.
“If we are going to achieve a strong future for regional communities, viable food and fibre production and the environmental outcomes we are seeking, it is critical that we support farmers to manage their landscapes and enterprises in the most sustainable and profitable way they can, utilising all the best available science, technology and information available to them,” Ms Sheppard said.
“When it comes to what is best for regional communities, agricultural production and environmental outcomes, it has to be an equation not an either or.”
To learn more about QFF’s State Election Priorities, including those relating to the environment, visit www.qff.org.au/2024-election-priorities/
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Media contact:
Anna Jones
Corporate Partnerships and Communications Manager, QFF
E: partnerships@qff.org.au
P: 0481 395 623