Flagship low emissions AG plan shaping up

The Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to working with farmers and producers to ensure agriculture is ready to seize on the opportunities of Australia’s net zero economy was at the centre of roundtable discussions today. 

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins brought together key industry leaders in Sydney to progress discussions including key actions and priorities for the agricultural sector in the development of the Agriculture and Land Sector Plan.  

This roundtable builds on the highly successful Sustainable Agriculture Summit held in Toowoomba earlier in the year that brought over 100 representatives.  

The roundtable discussed the progress of the Government’s investment of $63.8 million in the Agriculture and Land Sector Plan to support initial emissions reduction efforts. 

Agriculture’s contribution to net zero will create new opportunities for producers and provide the certainty needed to underpin investments in Australia’s low-emissions future.  

Australian farmers already have a strong focus on sustainability and productivity, and are internationally competitive in terms of emissions per unit of production.  

Building on that position will ensure the sector benefits from the global transition to lower emissions. There has been extensive consultation to inform the sector plan to date. 

Continuing to seek feedback from industry will ensure the plan builds on work already underway and supports an ongoing partnership with industry going forward. 

For more information visit www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/climatechange….

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP: 

“I’m continuing to work with the agriculture sector as we move towards a lower emissions agriculture industry.  

“Today was about bringing together industry leaders to progress the development of the Ag and Land Plan, to hear about the opportunities and challenges ahead of us, and how both Government and industry can work together to solve them. 

“We want to lower emissions not just to prevent the worst of a changing climate, with more frequent droughts, floods and storms already costing farmers and producers too much, but to also unlock diversified income streams and productivity improvements in the ag sector. 

“With over 90 per cent of Australia’s food and fibre exports going to countries with a net zero commitment, maintaining our competitive position will yield long-term market benefits as sustainability credentials will help our produce stand out among our trading partners.”