Farmers have accused the Queensland State Government of ignoring the impact of climate change on farms in a draft strategy paper on how to double agriculture by 2040. Source: The Australian
In a submission to the State Government, the Queensland Farmers Federation said the need for agriculture to mitigate the drivers of climate change and to adapt to a changing climate was missing from the agriculture strategy.
“Over the next 30 years, there is likely to be significant changes to temperatures and rainfall over Queensland that will impact on the ability of agricultural production to continue at current levels,” the submission said.
“While there is still much uncertainty about the specific changes that will impact on Queensland agricultural regions, QFF believes that an agricultural strategy setting a path for growth over the next 30 years should consider all the factors likely to impact on production and productivity over this period.
“In the same way that the strategy attempts to predict trends in the global economy, the development of technology, markets and skills, there must be consideration of the possible and likely changes in climate that will also have a significant impact on the achievement of the vision for Queensland agriculture.
According to the CSIRO, temperatures in Australia have risen by about 0.9 degrees since 1910 and it considers agriculture, fisheries, forestry and mining industries as some of the most sensitive sectors to climate risk.
Climate model projections for the coming decades indicate an increasing risk of below-average rainfall for southern and eastern mainland Australia, higher temperatures and evaporation, and below-average run-off.
The CSIRO said primary industries in Australia had successfully adapted to local changes in climate but projected changes in temperature, rainfall patterns and sea level suggest further adaptation needs to occur, in many cases within months and years, rather than decades.
“Over the long term of the strategy, the challenge for government and industry is to identify opportunities to drive productivity and profits in the agriculture sector,” Primary Industries Minister McVeigh said.
“We will need to work in steps which will include ongoing adaption to climate and seasonal variability.”
A previous QFF report into climate change found the state was likely to face a new wet season that went from January to March rather than the traditional December to February.
Rainfall would also decrease in drier months and increase in the wet season and is also projected to occur in less frequent but more intensive rainfall events.
