The Queensland Farmers Federation has slammed Premier Anna Bligh's plans to regulate farm practices in the Reef catchments, saying it undermines her commitment to consult with farmers.
QFF chief executive John Cherry also accused Ms Bligh of either deliberately ignoring or misrepresenting scientific reports to back up her stance.
He says the 2007 Reef Water Quality Report actually says:
"It is expected that pesticide concentrations diminish with the progressive introduction of improved farming practices (p.9)
"Suspended sediments and nutrients were generally considered low at the three inshore reef sites considered influenced by the Johnstone River (p.45) (and) the three inshore reef sites considered to be influenced by the Herbert River (p.53).
"The contribution of pollutants from the Tully to marine waters was relatively low, despite significantly higher than average rainfall and river flows during 2006-07 (p.49)."
Mr Cherry cites the Science Consensus Report as saying:
"Improved management techniques in intensive wet tropics area have already reduced sediment generation through practices such as minimum tillage and green cane trash blanketing. (p.40)
"There are significant barriers to the adoption of practices that could materially reduce loads into GBR catchments. These barriers are economic such as the private costs of changing practices and social such as attitudes towards particular practices, skills required and attitudes towards risk. (p.44)"
Mr Cherry said the Premier's proposal to regulate pesticide use was "pointless grandstanding that cuts across Federal laws on the use of atrazine and diuron".
"Atrazine has been subject of an extensive review by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) which set new usage regulations in March of this year to reduce impacts on waterways," he said.
"Diuron has been subject of review by the APVMA which is currently finalising new regulations based on responses to its 2005 science review.
"The Premier's actions also cut right across the approach of the Federal Government’s $200 million five year Reef Rescue Plan which has been carefully negotiated with industry and regional bodies with a target of reducing nutrient leads onto the Reef by 25pc
and sediment loads by 10pc.
"Her now weekly press releases attacking North Queensland farmers will make it harder and harder to get farmers to make the big investments necessary to make the voluntary changes to best practice necessary to improve Reef water quality.
"The clear message from the Reef Summit (which Premier Bligh left before hearing from any on-ground farm, program or scientific leaders) was that ramping up best management practices will deliver more results for the Reef.
"Premier Bligh has chosen to ignore that message, just as she has ignored findings in the Water Quality Report and the Reef Science Statement showing clear progress, a need for a long-term commitment and gaping holes in knowledge and monitoring systems."
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