The Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA) met with the State Government last Friday to discuss issues regarding the current land clearing legislation.
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Concerns about the vegetation conservation notices issued by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the unfair pressure it placed on farmers were discussed at the meeting.
PGA president Rob Gillam said the Premier's principal policy adviser, Colin Edwardes, listened to them and noted their concerns but obviously could not give them any commitments at this stage.
"I think he did understand that we feel some farmers are getting a pretty tough trot and we don't think that they are getting treated as fairly as others might be," Mr Gillam said.
"We're really talking about wanting to change some of the implications of the legislation that was put through in 2004 and which toughened up the DEC very considerably."
Mr Gillam said some of the issues they discussed fell into the realms of a private property rights bill the government was currently preparing for presentation in parliament.
"Certainly we'll be continuing to push the matter as it is a very high priority in our organisation," he said.
Mr Gillam said the PGA was not in a position to be making submissions to the Inter-Departmental Native Vegetation Working Group convened by the DEC, but would do so if given the opportunity.
