Following the release of a new National Statement on Climate Change and Agriculture agreed by Agriculture Ministers across Australia, the agriculture sector‘s role in addressing climate change has been reaffirmed.
“This national statement is a shared commitment by Federal, State and Territory Agriculture Ministers to provide leadership and work in partnership with our agriculture sector, so that Australia leads the world in climate-smart agriculture practices,” Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said.
Minister Watt noted that the national statement represents a picture of where Australia’s agriculture industry stands, and a clear evaluation of the work that needs to be done in the future.
“A climate-smart, sustainable agriculture sector will help make farming more productive and profitable, better protect our environment, increase access to international markets and strengthen our rural communities,” Minister Watt stated.
The Minister reported that ABARES modelling shows that over the last 20 years, climate change has lowered the average Australian farm’s profitability by 23%.
“Rather than holding our agriculture sector back, we are getting on with the job of dealing with the reality of climate change and this statement is more evidence of that,” he said.
He noted that farmers are already incorporating sustainable, climate-smart practices into their businesses, with ABARES figures showing farmers are adapting and adopting new technologies and practices to tackle the effects of climate change.
“The industry’s peak bodies, like the National Farmers Federation, Meat and Livestock Australia, the Red Meat Advisory Council and GrainGrowers, have all committed to reducing agricultural emissions, but there is still more work to do,” he stated.
“Having the Federal, State and Territory Governments all rowing in the same direction is another step forward, to protect and grow our ag sector, in the face of climate change.”
Minister Watt said the Australian Government‘s May budget contained financing for particular programs to assist farmers in mitigating the effects of climate change on their businesses.
“We’re investing more than $300 million through the Natural Heritage Trust to support farmers to improve agricultural productivity, competitiveness and sustainability across the country. Through effective on-ground projects, we will support farmers to manage climate risks and invest in their on-farm natural capital and effective natural resources management,” the Minister stated.
This will assist the industry in responding to climate change, surviving future bushfires, floods, and droughts, and protecting its productivity.
“By providing an opportunity for national collaboration that drives change and underpins climate-smart practices it allows the industry to ensure that the future of agriculture will be as prosperous as possible,” Minister Watt added.
