Organic food loses the high-ground

An article by AEF member David Leyonhjelm published in the Business Spectator 3 June 2010

Less than Half Support an ETS

See AEF media release

Listen to Max Rhees interviewed on 2GB

ECHUCA RALLY OPPOSES VEAC’S RED GUM PROPOSALS

A Public Land Rights Rally was held in Echuca on October 5th 2008 to protest against the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council proposals for the red gum forests of the Murray River.

2000 marchers, a number of them AEF members, blocked the traffic in High Street Echuca and brought the town to a standstill.  Local people and visitors alike clapped and cheered as the march led by dozens of Barmah cattlemen on their horses proceeded to the local park to hear speakers denounce the proposals that if implemented will see selective timber harvesting, controlled grazing and campfires in the holiday period all banned from new parks.

Nearby state forests at Nyah are already declining in health, even though grazing has been excluded for only six years.  Parasitic native cherry, Exocarpus strictus is sweeping through the forest and forming dense stands, affecting the vigour of the red gums.

RIVER RED GUM FOREST INVESTIGATION

The Rivers & Red Gum Environment Alliance launched its alternative plan to the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council [VEAC] proposals for the River Red Gum Forests of the Murray River at the Victorian Parliament on Thursday July 31st 2008.

The AEF is one of the 25 organisations that make up the Alliance and contributed to the compilation of the report.

The major recommendation of the Alliance Conservation & Community Plan is the creation of 104,700 hectares of Ramsar Reserves to allow for multiple use management of the forests and a higher level of biodiversity conservation.  Read more on the launch and the Alliance plan