Bulldozing for beef is continuing – despite the passage of new environment laws late last that tighten loopholes relating to land clearing by the agricultural sector.
Investigations by the Australian Conservation Foundation have revealed several cases of potentially significant bulldozing of the bush in New South Wales and Queensland.
“We’re seeing two things we really don’t want to see: the bulldozing of endangered ecosystems – including habitat for koalas – and landholders unaware that they may have broken the law,” said ACF nature campaigner Darcie Carruthers.
“Deforestation threatens hundreds of native species with extinction by destroying their homes. It also causes soil erosion, increases flood risk and threats from invasive predators, emits carbon and affects rainfall,” she said.
“Australia has the highest rate of deforestation in the developed world and most of it is driven by expanding pasture for beef cattle.
“Most farmers are good custodians of nature and certainly don’t want to break the law.
“I’ve listened to landholders who are confused and stressed out when they get a phone call from us telling them they’ve potentially broken the law. That’s not working for anyone.
“The Albanese government should prioritise educating landholders about their updated responsibilities under the law and, importantly, work directly with State and Territory governments to make sure they’re conveying the right information to landholders.
“When state departments give incomplete or inaccurate advice to landholders about their responsibilities under Australia’s nature protection law, it could leave the landholders liable for clearing they’ve done, even if they’ve tried to seek the right advice.
“Those in the agricultural sector are now expected to play by the rules, just like every other industry that impacts on nature.
“The Albanese government’s reform of the nature law must be backed by standards that better protect nature and the May budget must include funding for a National Environmental Protection Authority that is able keep forests and woodlands safe from illegal bulldozers.”
