MEDIA RELEASE


24 March 2011: Cane industry welcomes new research into impacts on reef

Peak sugarcane body CANEGROWERS says it believes that any urban development or industry astride the reef will heartily welcome the chance to see what impact they have on water quality and where the best bang for their buck will be in addressing water quality and reef health.

This comes on the back of a statement from the Australian Government yesterday, that it will pump $8.5 million dollars into undertaking research into protecting the Great Barrier Reef from harmful pollutants, including runoff from agricultural land during extreme weather events.

“CANEGROWERS has been vocal about the immediate need for reef impacts data,” says CANEGROWERS CEO Steve Greenwood.

“The reef is an Australian icon – and given their unique geographical positioning, cane growers up and down the coast have been leading the charge in making changes on-farm, but it is important they have confidence that what they are being asked to do, will actually achieve commensurate wins.”

“Cane growers have a vested interest in the iconic Great Barrier Reef, which for many is in their backyard – it’s where they spend weekends with their family and, as many are keen fishermen, they while away their leisure time in the nearby waterways which feed into it.”

CANEGROWERS has long been calling for research which quantifies how each industry close to the reef is impacting on water quality. The current body of data has been widely debated amongst the scientific community, and the jury is still out. "Growers question the logic in spending their hard earned dollars on projects that aren't supported by robust data and for which they cannot be sure will be of benefit,” says Greenwood.

“It stands to reason that if we can get access to robust data which shows us where we can get the best bang for our buck, cane would be amongst the first to further engage.

“We are particularly interested in the research into cost-effectiveness of best management practices as a decision tool for regions and landholders and catchment-wide water quality modelling projects.”

CANEGROWERS has very publically supported the proactive approach taken by the Australian Government in funding growers’ implementation of the latest technology and practices - much sooner than they otherwise would have been able - through the Reef Rescue initiative.

“Proactive schemes which encourage and support practice change are achieving real and immediate wins for growers and their local communities alike,” says Greenwood. “If we can dovetail robust research which identifies actuals, it will allow each industry astride the reef to really hone in and target their efforts to best benefit.”

Media comment:
Steve Greenwood | CANEGROWERS CEO | 0488 721 156
Alf Cristaudo | CANEGROWERS Chairman | 0418 181 204

More information:
Suzi Moore | CANEGROWERS Communications | 0427 641 239