Fed: Govts urged to seek conservation help from private firms

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2001
Fed: Govts urged to seek conservation help from private firms

CANBERRA, Dec 4 AAP - Australians had little hope of conserving land without recognising
farmers' property rights and seeking help from the private sector, the Productivity Commission
said today.

A commission report said with more than 60 per cent of Australia's land under private
management, government conservation programs were not enough.

The report said governments could also play a key role in removing legal barriers to
conservation and examining potential for new markets.

"The potential contribution of private markets needs to be harnessed if we are to succeed
in addressing the ongoing loss of biodiversity in this country," commissioner Neil Byron
said when releasing the report.

Historically, governments have been the most prominent providers of conservation but
private sector conservation was essential to complement and supplement it, the commission's
report said.

The controversial issue of property rights over the management of natural resources
on private land is being debated in farming communities.

"Clear property rights are an important foundation of any incentive-based or effective
regulatory approach to biodiversity conservation," the report said.

"In some instances governments can create markets by defining new property rights."

Clarifying rights and responsibilities of the private sector was a fundamental step
in determining who should bear the cost of conservation on private land, it said.

"Establishing appropriate cost-sharing frameworks can create incentives for individuals
to use resources more efficiently."

During the election campaign both major parties recognised the need to compensate farmers
who lost water and property rights.

National Farmers' Federation president Ian Donges has said the number one issue for
farmers is the recognition of such rights and the need for compensation if they were removed.

The government has agreed to convene an early meeting of the Council of Australian
Governments to discuss the issue.

AAP lm/sw/pw/de

KEYWORD: CONSERVATION

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.