NSW farmers reject land clearing report

Farmers in NSW say native vegetation costs certain farms around $156,000 a year. Photo: Jessica Shapiro

Laws forbidding farmers from uprooting bush on their land have a scant economic effect, a leading think tank has found, undercutting claims that measures to protect threatened species damage farm productivity.

But NSW farmers has strongly rejected the finding, saying native vegetation costs farms in some parts of the state about $156,000 a year.

The report by the left-leaning think tank, The Australia Institute, will add to the debate over a review of NSW's biodiversity legislation. Senior Nationals MPs have been heavily criticised for linking land-clearing laws to the death of NSW environment compliance officerGlenTurner, who was killed on the job near Moree in July.

NSW Farmers President Fiona Simson said land-clearing laws are a "burden" for farmers. Photo: Dallas Kilponen

The report claimed that native vegetation regulations have a minimal economic effect on agriculture in NSW, which produces up to $16 billion in output each year.

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It cited research by the Australian Bureau of Resource and Agricultural Economics that found weather and commodity prices largely determined productivity, and vegetation density had the lowest influence of the factors measured.

The report said land clearing legislation affected only a small minority of properties, and suggested the "private benefits" of loosening the laws may be outweighed by negative environmental and community effects.

Native vegetation reduces the land area that can be farmed and can obstruct farming machinery. But it also reduces erosion and improves water quality and biodiversity.

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NSW farmers reject land clearing report