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Monday, 20 September 2004 The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia Inc. today welcomed funding for the rice industry’s Environmental Champions program announced by Senator Judith Troeth as part of the Commonwealth governments Pathways to Industry Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Program. The rice industry was one of seven agricultural industries to receive funding to help boost agricultural productivity and sustainability under the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry EMS program. The funding provides a platform for the Australian rice industry to introduce the Environmental Champions Program industry wide. “Senator Troeth’s announcement is testimony to the leadership role the rice industry has taken in environmental improvement in Australian agriculture,” said Executive Director of RGA, Mr Matt Linnegar. “Rice growers across the region desperately need rain to ensure a 2004 crop planting. Whilst we can do nothing to improve current climatic conditions, we can act to create a more sustainable future. This funding will be essential in improving the industry’s capacity to continue towards improved environmental sustainability both at a regional and catchment level,” said Mr Linnegar. “Putting environmental plans into on-ground action, enhancing biodiversity, improving farm efficiency whilst fostering regional efforts towards catchment sustainability will be particular targeted over the next three years,” said Mr Linnegar. “We are extremely proud of the efforts of those that have brought this program together. It has been a co-operative effort between rice farmers, irrigation companies, government agencies and others involved in the rice industry, and so covers a whole range of areas and activities that rice farmers undertake,” said Mr Linnegar. Rice Environmental Champions is a five level achievement program that guides farmers through a series of activities. Each level contains different actions, which are undertaken to gain credit under a program designed to link on-farm action with catchment improvement. The program is designed to link environmental performance with better farm business performance. CONTACT |
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