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The National Farmers Federation is backing a new report calling for a voluntary carbon trading system for farmers.
The report, commissioned by the Victorian and NSW Governments, says a voluntary scheme could help Australia meet its emissions cut targets while generating income for farmers.
Under the current Federal Government plans, agriculture will not be included in the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme until 2015 at the earliest.
The report’s co-author is Mark Barber from ACIL Tasman. He says a voluntary scheme would help address a number of the existing concerns held within the industry.
“That would allow agriculture to develop the skills and the R and D to better understand the sequestration and abatement opportunities.”
“It would allow farmers to see opportunities to opt in a lot earlier and it would provide some valuable information that could assist the evolution of a CPRS as well.”
The NFF’s Charlie McElhone says the report shows a farmers can be included in carbon trading, but should not be forced.
“The report does very much give strong support to the NFF policy on the CPRS and demonstrates that agriculture can play a significant further role in mitigating carbon emissions, provided we have the right tools and policy mechanisms to drive that change,” he says.
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