27 August 2008
DAFF08/109B

Tasmania’s farming and forestry industries are encouraged to attend a Launceston forum to have their say on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the Launceston forum was part of the Rudd Government’s consultation with regional areas across Australia.

When: 11am Thursday, 4 September 2008

Where: Tram Shed Function Centre and Auditorium, Launceston

Consultations focusing on agriculture and forestry have also been held, or will be held shortly, in NSW, South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland.

“No sector of the Australian economy is more affected by climate change than agriculture,” Mr Burke said.

“Our farmers have the most to lose. The cost of inaction is greater than the cost of acting to meet the challenges of the future.

“I would urge anyone working in agriculture or forestry to attend and make sure their views are heard.

“The Rudd Government has already made it clear that agriculture will not be included initially in the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, given the difficulty of measuring agricultural emissions at so many locations across Australia.

“As we announced in July, the Government will make a decision on the inclusion of agricultural emissions in 2013.

“This will give us time to consult with industry – starting with these regional forums in Launceston and other areas.

“We want to hear from people in farming and forestry about how we could resolve these measurement issues, before we could include agriculture in the scheme.”

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is overseeing the regional consultations, with a sole focus on the aspects of the Green Paper that relate to agriculture and forestry.

The Department of Climate Change has already held a stakeholder forum in Hobart that was attended by the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, as well as by individual farmers.

The Government’s consultations on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper will run until 10 September.