Farmers want register of overseas buyers of Oz farmland & water licences

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"The Government needs to be aware of what's happening and not only make sure it's got a register of who's making the purchases, but also how much and where and what sort of land," says Charlie Armstrong, President of the New South Wales Farmers Association.

ABC News | 16 November 2010

The New South Wales Farmers Association is calling for a register of all overseas purchases of Australian agricultural land and water licenses.

The Association says it is alarmed by reports that $9-billion worth of prime agricultural land has been sold to foreign investors in the past two years.

President, Charlie Armstrong, says the world is becoming increasingly focused on food security.

He says the Federal Government must make sure Australia's interests are protected.

"The Government needs to be aware of what's happening and not only make sure it's got a register of who's making the purchases, but also how much and where and what sort of land," Mr Armstrong said.

"The Government should also know what expectations the buyer has, in terms of the production of that land, and what impact that might have on Australian workers and food production."

Charlie Armstrong also says the Government should ensure sales are closely examined by the Foreign Investment Review Board.

"What it needs to do is look at the trigger figure for agricultural land set by the Foreign Investment Review Board, which only comes in at about $230 million," he said.

"Many overseas purchases are of smaller farms that don't add up to anything like that."

Meantime, New South Wales Upper House Greens MP, Cate Faehrmann, says she'll fight on behalf of farmers opposing coal mining and gas extraction on the Liverpool Plains.

Ms Faehrmann spent Monday meeting Liverpool Plains farmers, and will travel to Narrabri today.

The Greens have joined the New South Wales Farmers Association in calling for a moratorium on coal seam gas exploration.

Cate Faehrmann says the Greens will also push for food security plans at a state and federal level.

"What we absolutely need here is the balance between mining and energy and food and water supplies," she said.

"I don't think that balance is right yet because the scales are tipped way in favour of overseas mining companies and mining giants and our water supplies and agricultural farmland are under threat."
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