Board approved: January 2020.
Download this policy as PDF. See all related articles and resources.
AgForce requires that alternative and potentially impacting land uses ensure:
- There is a recognition that natural capital has inherent value
- Human health and well-being must not be sacrificed
- A precautionary approach that avoids negative legacy effects on natural resources including air, soil, water and biodiversity
- There are no negative impacts on existing or future sustainable agricultural opportunities.
Before
- Recognise that resources are finite
- All projects are assessed on environmental, social and economic criteria
- There is a formal mechanism for agriculture to be involved in assessment
- Projects should not be assessed in isolation and cumulative impacts assessed
- Potential impacts need to be objectively and accurately quantified rigorously and independently reviewed
- Agricultural landholders to have equal representation, available resources and bargaining power.
During
- All projects must have comprehensive monitoring and transparent reporting
- Non-compliance will trigger cease work
- Enforcement is primarily the responsibility of government, but landholders must have a right to compel action
- Industry and Government must proactively identify and manage cumulative impacts, both individual project cumulative impacts and multiple projects cumulative impacts.
After
- Land needs to be rehabilitated to pre-existing natural conditions
- Financial assurance needs to be adequate for rehabilitation.