Engagement
Need/issues:
Governments are increasingly interested in policy as a way to achieve on farm change in environmental practices. These policy mechanisms are not always regulatory, and are increasingly being built around market based mechanisms (MBIs); ie the Carbon Farming Initiative and Bush Tender. The Gippsland Lakes Taskforce program targeting dryland dairy farmers is a hybrid MBI/traditional extension program.
The future of Australian dairy will also depend upon its ability to adapt to increased climate variability and policy settings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The industry will be judged on how it reacts to climate change, and that will impact on access to natural and financial resources.
The emergence of the food security debate and the possibility of associated policy mechanisms.
RDPs and the regional NRM coordinators play a role in ensuring farmers, industry leaders and government are provided with evidence based information on industry NRM and CC issues. They also provide info on implications of proposed government climate change resource management policies on practice change/farm profitability.
Objectives:
- Enhance the dairy industry’s reputation among government, commerce and the wider community for responsible resource management.
- Provide industry leaders and partners with evidence- based information on industry NRM issues, alternative policy options and their potential implications for industry and other stakeholders.
Projects: