Page 8 - National Poultry Newspaper

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Rewarding biodiversity on farm
MINISTER for Agricul- ture David Littleproud has announced new programs that would see farmers receive in- centives for a range of projects to improve bio- diversity on farms, in- corporating payment for carbon if appropriate.
A $30 million pilot Agri- culture Biodiversity Stew- ardship Program would see farmers receive incentives for projects that boost bio- diversity and also, if appro- priate, absorb carbon.
Projects such as main- taining or enhancing rem- nant forest, regeneration of gullies or waterways, or mixed species native tree plantings could be exam- ples of projects.
Additionally, $4 million will go towards creating a national and internation- ally recognised biodiver- sity certification scheme to help biodiversity- friendly farmers get an extra premium for their product at the checkout and when they trade with other countries.
The National Farmers’ Federation will help de-
velop this certification scheme so farm groups have ownership of and in- vest in it.
“I’ve always thought farmers should see the benefits of managing the biodiversity on their properties, and a market- based system can become a drought-proof income stream for them,” Minis- ter Littleproud said.
“This program will be trialled across differ- ent commodities and in different regions and if successful, I hope it will be expanded as national policy following the trial.
“An on-farm biodiver- sity policy and methodol- ogy will need to be de- veloped and we’ll be con- sulting with Australian National University and farm groups on this.
“Farmers are already making money from car- bon payments and in the future we could potential- ly see farmers receiving payment for both biodi- versity and carbon bene- fits from the same project.
“This pilot program is not part of the Carbon
Solutions Fund – this is a dedicated trial aimed at biodiversity, though of course projects will likely have a carbon benefit al- so, which farmers deserve recognition for.”
Farmers should be re- warded for having plants and animals on their farm, not penalised through banning them using that land and offering no com- pensation.
“I’m offering a carrot to farmers who look after biodiversity and absorb carbon, not additional and unnecessary regulation,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Farmers love nature and are also running a business. “We need to recognise
both these realities.
“In many cases an incen-
tive system such as this will both boost production – cattle and sheep put on more meat when they have good shelter, which bush and shelter belts provide – as well as the financial incentive.
“Given almost 300 pro- jects involving revegeta- tion have been approved through the Emissions
Reduction Fund, many landholders already be- lieve they can make comparable returns from carbon payments to what they would running live- stock, depending on cir- cumstance and region.”
A biodiversity certifica- tion scheme will also give farmers motivation and reward for looking after nature on their properties.
“If shoppers are pre- pared to pay more for produce that carries a bio- diversity stamp then let’s create a brand and reward farmers who do that,” Minister Littleproud said.
“This is the way the world is headed.
“On my recent trip to the EU Agriculture Min- isters’ Conference, I saw how serious the rest of the world is about farmers looking after biodiversity.
“If Australia is to con- tinue to be a world leader and maintain its key sell- ing point overseas – our clean green reputation – then we need to be think- ing ahead of the game and these schemes are part of that picture.”
Egg industry action on food safety
AUSTRALIAN Eggs is working with govern- ment health and agri- cultural departments to investigate the cause of a salmonella enteritidis incident at a Victorian farm.
SE is a concern as it poses a food safety risk.
Unlike other countries, SE is not endemic in Aus- tralia, so it is important to work through how this in- cident has arisen and en- sure it can be contained.
For this purpose, the farm has been quaran- tined and very strict meas- ures are in place to protect neighbouring farms.
Regular SE surveillance is conducted in Australia to ensure early detection, containment and eradica- tion of any outbreak.
A product recall has been issued for 12 Cage Free Eggs 700g barcode 9300633636982, Victori- an Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 600g, Victorian Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 700g, Victorian Fresh Barn Laid Eggs 800g, Loddon Valley Barn Laid 600g (Victoria
and South Australia only) with best before dates of 20 MAR 19, 23 MAR 19, 27 MAR 19, 30 MAR 19, 3 APR 19, 6 APR 19, 10 APR 19, 14 APR 19, 17 APR 19, 20 APR 19, 24 APR 19, 27 APR 19 and 29 APR 19.
Customers who have bought these eggs should not consume them and can return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
Australia continues to have some of the safest eggs in the world and
health authorities advise it is safe to continue eating all other eggs.
Eggs should always be cooked until the white is completely formed and the yolk begins to thicken.
www.australianeggs. org.au
Page 8 – National Poultry Newspaper, April 2019
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