MEDIA RELEASE19 February 2015
Greens announce $120 million to assist young farmers & on-farm conservation
The Greens candidate for the Bega electorate, Ms Margaret Perger has enthusiastically welcomed the Greens policy to provide $120 million worth of low interest loans to assist young farmers and to fund conservation works on farms.
She says that the sustainability of farming systems and communities is essential for future food security, and for the integrity of the natural environment.
In his statement announcing the policy, Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham said: "We are facing a crisis in rural communities as the high cost of purchasing and setting up a farm combined with the lure of higher salaried jobs in the city is driving many young people away from agriculture and regional NSW."
"Our future food security and the vitality of regional areas depend on passionate, innovative young people staying in or taking up agriculture and the Greens policy is to support this through our Young Farmer Finance Scheme," Mr Buckingham said.
Ms Perger said that the Greens also believe that private landholders, who manage over 85% of the land in NSW, should be supported and encouraged to undertake on-farm conservation works, such as planting vegetation corridors and fencing off waterways, to improve landscape biodiversity and farm sustainability.
"Many farmers are under financial stress and the benefits of conservation work can take many years to realise, so upfront financial costs, such as fencing or planting material and labour costs, can be a significant barrier to their involvement," she said.
The proposed loans comprises of:
"$60 million in low interest loans for young farmers (under 40), each loan would be between $5000 and $50,000
"$60 million in low interest loans for conservation works, each loan would be between $5000 and $50,000
"The Greens NSW believes that there is an important role for government to play in supporting young people to stay in, or take up, farming and in assisting farmers to undertake conservation works to improve ecological outcomes on farms.
I have attached the policy document for this proposal for your information.
Margaret Perger
Greens Candidate for Bega Electorate
0400 719 077
Bega@NSW.Greens.org.au
Facebook: Margaret Perger, Greens Candidate for Bega 2015
Authorised by Margaret Perger PO Box 295 Moruya 2537