[Greens-Media] Agriculture needs a strategy for the future

[Twomey, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

Agriculture needs a strategy for the future

The Greens believe that more farm assistance money should be directed to
helping farmers transition to climate resilient farming systems.

 "Of course we need to help our farmers, but the assistance package
needs to be in the framework of how we deal with climate impacts on
agriculture," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"If we don't get  better understanding of the changes to our
agricultural zones and develop a longer-term strategy, then we are going
to have to keep paying farmers to help them get through difficult
circumstance that are no longer exceptional," she said.

"Yes, of course it will rain again, but our seasons are increasingly
uncertain. There is no going back to business as usual."

"We must recognise the climate is changing so we can adapt and
transition to a new way of business that increases the resilience of our
farming systems and adaptively manages climate risk."

"If we keep going forward on a hope and a prayer without facing the
uncertainty of a changing climate we are leaving our farmers almost
permanently in crisis mode - without the information, tools and support
they need to transition."

"Contrary to what Mr Howard said today, this government has stood idly
by ... as it has allowed our agricultural research and extension
capability to run down."
"This government has stood idly by ignoring the impacts of climate
change - keeping our farming communities hanging on, praying for a break
in the drought while their assets run down."

"We need to increase the resilience of our farming systems in a changing
climate"

For more information or comment call 
Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025

Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au
http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au

RESCUE THE SENATE


Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Spokesperson on Agriculture


Wednesday 26th September 2007