Endorsed January 2020.

AgForce requires that alternative and potentially impacting land uses ensure:

1. There is a recognition that natural capital has inherent value
2. Human health and well-being must not be sacrificed
3. A precautionary approach that avoids negative legacy effects on natural resources including air, soil, water and biodiversity
4. There are no negative impacts on existing or future sustainable agricultural opportunities.

Before

• Recognise that resources are finite
• All projects are assessed on environmental, social and economic criteria
• There is a formal mechanism for agriculture to be involved in assessment
• Projects should not be assessed in isolation and cumulative impacts assessed
• Potential impacts need to be objectively and accurately quantified rigorously and independently reviewed
• Agricultural landholders to have equal representation, available resources and bargaining power.

During

• All projects must have comprehensive monitoring and transparent reporting
• Non-compliance will trigger cease work
• Enforcement is primarily the responsibility of government, but landholders must have a right to compel action
• Industry and Government must proactively identify and manage cumulative impacts, both individual project cumulative impacts and multiple projects cumulative impacts.

After

• Land needs to be rehabilitated to pre-existing natural conditions
• Financial assurance needs to be adequate for rehabilitation.