Farmers seek certainty from new environmental standards

The National Farmers’ Federation says farmers need greater certainty about how new environmental standards will affect their businesses under reforms to the EPBC Act.

NFF President Hamish McIntyre says the standards covering environmental matters, offsets, data and community engagement are complex and could create uncertainty for farmers managing productive landscapes.

He says farmers need clear and practical rules, particularly as changes to continuous use provisions have already raised concerns across agriculture.

The NFF says the standards have been released in final form after a stop-start consultation process, leaving questions about how they will interact and how they will underpin agreements between the Commonwealth and states.

Mr McIntyre says the Federal Government must now provide practical support, including reliable mapping, decision-making tools and trusted extension services, to help farmers understand and comply with the new requirements.