Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001 - Preface
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Minister for Environment and Heritage
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Ministers
I have pleasure in presenting to you Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001—a report of the National Land and Water Resources Audit.
This assessment demonstrates first and foremost the role of partnerships in understanding and addressing natural resource management issues facing Australian agriculture. The assessment of soil acidity (for example) is based on the combined resources of the Australian fertiliser industry, soil scientists and government agencies. It includes data from the thousands of soil tests taken by farmers as part of their integrated farm management each year. Up to 24 million hectares of agricultural soils are highly acidic (some five times the area at risk from dryland salinity)—presenting significant on-farm productivity and management challenges.
To set the benchmark for improvements in agricultural practice this report:
- details the first comprehensive assessment of water-borne erosion and sediment transport for Australia's agricultural catchments and rivers, and highlights implications for soil, river and estuary management;
- details river nutrient budgets and changes in nutrients loads to our rivers;
- details changes to landscape water and farm nutrient balances and the implications for on-farm nutrient management;
- forecasts the extent and impact of soil acidification on agricultural soils and their productivity;
- details new soil information for Australia's agricultural soils;
- details progress of agricultural industries in meeting natural resource challenges; and
- details key components of land condition monitoring that could be used to report changes in the natural resource base and tracks progress in implementing improved practices.
This report highlights the long-term nature of natural resource processes such as soil acidity or nutrient and sediment movement down rivers. Meeting the twin goals of increased productivity and reduced off-farm impacts requires ongoing commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in farm practice. The assessment of industry natural resource management practice highlights agricultural industry ability to adapt, improve and innovate.
Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001 and the more detailed information in the Australian Natural Resources Atlas will prove invaluable to regional communities as they set priorities for activities under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the extension of the Natural Heritage Trust.
The assessment also provides a framework and information for government, industry and science agencies to review programs and develop the policies required to deliver sustainable agricultural development in Australia. It identifies the monitoring activities that would provide information to track improvements in practice and resource condition, ensuring efficiencies in program delivery and maximising returns on investment.
The Audit Advisory Council commends this report and the Australian Natural Resources Atlas to you. It remains for Australian agriculture in partnership with industry groups, research and development agencies and government to keep this information up to date and use it for tracking progress and setting natural resource management priorities.
I am pleased to present this report to the Natural Heritage Trust Ministerial Board.
Yours sincerely
Roy Green
Chair
National Land and Water Resources Audit Advisory Council
October 2001
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