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Farmers and climate change in Western Australia
In Perth, the Committee will hear from representatives of the Western Australian Farmers Federation (Submission no. 28). The submission notes the “potential benefits of involving farmers and farming communities in the response to climate change”. The Federation believes that “farmers would welcome the opportunity to take a holistic approach to achieve the required balance of profitability and sustainability to ensure that they can remain as land managers”. The property inspections at Geraldton will be conducted in conjunction with the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food (Submission no. 61) and representatives of the Australian Soil Carbon Accreditation Scheme (Submission no. 52). The will Committee see the work of local property owners who are using perennial plants to maintain ground cover all year round, thereby improving soil health and water retention, in both cropping and pasture systems. The Chair of the Committee, Dick Adams, noted that the Committee’s visit to Western Australia would allow it to see at first hand the work being done with perennial plants to rejuvenate soils in cropping and pasture systems, and discuss with farmers the efficacy of soil carbon sequestration. He said: “Soil carbon sequestration is advocated as a win-win solution for production and the environment, allowing farmers to increase productivity through improved soil health while drawing down atmospheric carbon and storing it in the soil. Having looked at this issue in other parts of Australia, the Committee is interested to see what’s being done in Western Australia.”More information
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As part of its inquiry into Australian farmers and climate change, the House of Representatives Primary Industries and Resources Committee will be holding a public hearing in Perth on the afternoon of Thursday 24 September, and property inspections at Geraldton on Friday 25 September.