ON January 1, the Great Barrier Reef Protection Amendment Act 2009 came into force for farmers and graziers in the Mackay Whitsunday, Burdekin and Wet Tropics areas.
Although the Bligh Government sent information packages to everyone affected by the new regulations regarding the application of fertiliser and herbicides, the requirements have created a lot of confusion.
That prompted an announcement on December 30 by the Government that it had allocated $1.1 million to "help farmers understand and meet their requirements under the new legislation".
Minister for Primary Industries Tim Mulherin stated $750,000 would be provided to Canegrowers and the Australian Cane Farmers Association, and $350,000 to AgForce to "help sugarcane farmers and graziers adopt best practice".
"Both will work with other industry organisations and regional NRM groups to deliver assistance to growers in the key reef catchments," he said.
The money allocated to the sugar industry is split amongst the regions: $400,000 going to the Wet Tropics, $200,000 to the Mackay Whitsundays, and $150,000 to the Burdekin.
However, Canegrowers is adamant it is not going to use the money to convene meetings to sell the Government regulations.
Canegrowers Mackay chairman Paul Schembri said it will most likely be used for training programs such as chemical accreditation.
But with around 3000 cane growers farming in the regions covered by the new Act, the $750,000 will only provide $250 a farm when there will be three workshops needed to accredit growers for chemical use.
Although the Government stated it would not initially come down hard on people who didn't comply with the record-keeping requirements, there is provision for penalties of $30,000 for non-compliance, and according to Mr Schembri, the Act makes every farmer a potential lawbreaker.
Australian Cane Farmers Association chairman Ross Walker said there will have to be a lot of training done very quickly to enable growers to handle the paperwork.
"It won't be an easy task complying with the paperwork and mistakes will be made, and although we've been told the Government will be going easy in the first 12 months, if farmers are fined, that will have a very negative effect on the processes."
AgForce president John Cotter said his organisation would be using the money to put extension people on the ground to help graziers comply with the regulations, but would also be urging the Government to use its $50m on having QPIF and other extension staff help with training and not use it solely on enforcement.
Mr Mulherin said the new requirements will be staged in their roll-out.
"From January 1, farmers and graz-iers in the affected catchments must keep records and comply with regulations on the use of fertiliser and pesticides to improve the quality of water that runs off their properties," he said.
"From July 1, 2010, canefarmers and graziers using herbicides will need to hold qualifications in preparing and applying chemicals, controlling weeds, and transporting, handling and storing chemicals.
"By October 1, 2010, environmental risk management plans will need to be lodged for cattle grazing enterprises over 2000 hectares in the Burdekin Dry Tropics, and for cane farms growing more than 70 hectares of cane in the Wet Tropics."
* For more information visit www.reefwisefarmin g.qld.gov.au.
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