The proposed cuts to the Murray Darling Basin will have serious repercussions for food producers and value-adding industries for our region but will also endanger Australia’s food security.
The early indications provide for three possible scenarios, ranging from cuts of 32% to 38% and up to 45%. The initial analysis, based on a suggested cut of 37%, would mean something like $1 billion lost in the gross value of irrigated agricultural production; and about 7,000 jobs; in the Murrumbidgee Valley alone.
The Basin Plan “could have devastating impacts on irrigation, on food and fibre production in the basin, which is our food bowl in Australia,” observed Ben Fargher of the National Farmers’ Federation. It is an argument that has been voiced by many politicians with experience in agriculture and the Australian Government will require their votes to put the Basin Plan into action.
NSW independent MP Tony Windsor has criticised the report for failing to give more detail on the local impact of water caps.
“This is absurd to think that 800 jobs are going to be lost. Try thousands,” said Senator Barnaby Joyce, the Opposition Water Spokesman.
An important argument against the proposal is Australia’s food security. When the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area was planned in 1905, it came after a record drought as a way of ensuring food would be available to support the growth of the country.
Food security for Australia remains an issue for our future. Under the Basin Plan our country will become reliant on imported food. “We will be one of the very few countries in the world that will be a large net importer of food,” said independent MP Bob Katter.
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