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Friday, 2 June 2006 The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australian (RGA) hosted a forum on Tuesday, in Griffith, to explore opportunities emerging in natural resource management to assist in the further development of the Environmental Champions Program (ECP). The aim of the Forum was to learn about a range of innovative programs happening across NSW and Victoria in order to explore emerging opportunities which have the potential to reward farmers for their efforts in protecting and enhancing the natural resources within their farming systems. The forum was attended by 60 farmers, researchers, irrigation company and government representatives. Those attending heard about schemes such as Biodiversity banking, Carbon Trading and Bush Tenders. A panel of farmers spoke about how they see their farms in a decades time, and what type of schemes may help them achieve those goals and provide rewards. “The response from those attending the forum was beyond our expectations” Louise Adcock, Manager Environmental Programs said. “It demonstrates the willingness of the rice industry to lead the way in adapting or modifying these concepts, most in their infancy in Australian agriculture, into real opportunities in the future”. The forum provided food for thought for a workshop the following day which discussed the development of Levels 4 & 5 of the Rice Industry’s Environmental Champions Program (ECP), which may incorporate such opportunities. The ECP is a five level program which provides a streamlined approach to natural resource managements and recognises farmers for their achievements. The details behind Levels 4 & 5 will be determined over the next 12 months following the same process used for the development of Levels 1 to 3. This will involve a working group with representatives from a broad range of organisations and interest groups. “The Ricegrowers Association will play a brokering role to find out what opportunities are available, what is incorporated into the Program will be driven by the cluster groups participating” RGA, Senior Vice President, Les Gordon. Tim Ogden from the Federal Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry addressed the Forum on how market based approaches can provide an effective way of providing farmers with incentives to address a wide range of environmental issues. CONTACT |
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