The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has today delivered it’s submission to the Victorian Government’s proposed Regulated Watercourse Land Regulations.
VFF President Emma Germano said forming a major part of the submission was the need for the introduction of a registration system.
“Without a means to trace when campers arrive on a property and where they go, both farmers and the authorities will have no way knowing exactly where they have been and for how long. The Government has already created an app that we think should include a registration function.”
“Under the proposed rules farmers will not be able to meet the traceability requirements under biosecurity quality assurance systems.”
“We’re calling for a simple, easy to use registration system to be introduced to ensure a level of accountability from campers and easier enforcement of rules by authorities when issues arise,” Ms Germano said.
The VFF also harbours concerns about the damage the process has inflicted to the Landcare partnership formed between farmers and the government.
“The VFF played a pivotal role in forming Landcare in the 1980s that has since dedicated an enormous amount of time improving the environmental health of Victoria’s riparian environments.”
“There’s little doubt that poor consultation from government and the failure to listen to the concerns of landholders has seriously damaged this relationship,” Ms Germano said.
The VFF submission outlining our recommendations can be accessed here.