How do we protect our water?

He said that the Australian Government and broader community have responded magnificently to the current crisis and the farm community was extremely grateful.

"In a measured and timely way, Australians have united to deal first with the priority of supporting farm families through the worst drought on record. With this unprecedented drought now deepening following the failure of another winter crop, the Prime Minister moved to tackle the crisis ‘head on’ with a $1.14 billion package, sensibly protecting Australia’s vital agricultural productive base," he added.

Mr Crombie said that the package represents an unprecedented response to an unprecedented crisis.

"We must tackle the ‘here-and-now’ and this is being done. But, ultimately, all Australians – including farmers – recognise relief is a stop-gap measure. So much hinges on our farmers’ ability to meet climate challenges. We’ve come to a point where we must think strategically about how we – as a nation – plan for, and deal with, drought. The current drought has already slashed three-quarters of a percent off Australia’s national economic growth," he said.

Australia's farming base supports 1.6 million jobs – more than half in the cities, covering retail, wholesale, transport, processing, packaging and more. It also accounts for 20 per cent of national exports ($30 billion a year) and most of the daily food needs of the country's population.

Mutual leadership
Mr Crombie called for both sides of politics must show leadership and commit to a long-term willingness to work with farmers in safeguarding productive farm lands and the agricultural economy.

“We are proposing a new targeted ‘mutual obligation’ system to partner with farmers in investing in drought preparation, planning and recovery. That is, for every dollar the Government invests in drought preparedness, participating farmers must match it, either dollar-for-dollar or in-kind," he stressed.

The NFF says, to be effective, climate management strategies must be available to all farmers who pass eligibility criteria; have a drought management plan, or a business plan that incorporates drought management strategies, to counter a changing climate; and have already implemented drought mitigation activities.

“It is essential that these strategies not be restricted to those farmers already in drought (EC) declared areas,” said Mr Crombie. “If the full benefits of effective drought preparedness and management measures are to be realised, they must be available to all farmers so they can prepare for, and mitigate against, the impact of climate change ‘before’ they are in the midst of drought.

NFF envisages strategies that cover a variety of approved activities, including testing of new drought-resistant technologies or different farm systems, to implement long-term sustainable stocking levels and innovative farm practices to boost drought resilience.

“It is a positive plan... a quantum leap in dealing with drought, particularly in the face of any long-term climate change. It also recognises, and builds upon, the environmental management practices already in place on 92 per cent of Australian farms. The overwhelming majority of farmers are already doing ‘the right thing’, the problem is they can’t do it all alone," added Mr Crombie.

'Drought-proofing' Australia, could be better by bolstering and augmenting current management and adopting pre-emptive practices.

“We know this is a generational shift in thinking. But it’s a necessary, common sense and forward-looking approach. Ultimately, we need to move from the necessity for drought relief to drought management and preparedness. Farmers recognise environmentally-sustainable farming is essential to their survival," said Mr Crombie.

Sustainable needs
“They must be better equipped to deal with drought today, safeguard against climate change and future droughts, and lessen the severity of drought impacts on Australia – economically, environmentally and socially. This is precisely this shift in thinking that our 2007 Federal Election Policy Platform, released on 19 September 2007, was designed to stimulate and foster. If not now, then when?” he added.