On The Land
14 February, 2026
AgForce takes concerns to Minister
AGFORCE has met with Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt, to discuss the implementation of the environment protection and biodiversity conservation (EPBC) reforms and their implications for Queensland agriculture.
AgForce chief executive officer Niki Ford said the meeting formed part of the organisation’s ongoing engagement across both state and federal processes to ensure Queensland agriculture had a strong, informed and protected voice as reforms were rolled out.
“Our members manage vast areas of Australia’s landscape, and it is critical that reform implementation reflects how farming systems actually operate on the ground,” she said.
Ms Ford said the discussion focused on avoiding the unintended capture of routine and low-impact agricultural activities.
“We were clear that poorly targeted regulatory burden risks undermining both productivity and environmental outcomes,” Ms Ford said.
“Farmers are already delivering land stewardship outcomes every day, and the regulatory framework must support, not obstruct, that role.”
Ms Ford welcomed Minister Watt’s commitment to ongoing engagement and a proposed on-farm visit in Queensland in coming weeks.
