VICTORIAN farmers have called for water assets to be included on a foreign ownership register for agricultural land.
It will provide a more comprehensive picture of the specific site and location of foreign agricultural landholdings.Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday announced the government would soon begin talks with stakeholders on the establishment of the register.
The move won immediate support from the Victorian Farmers’ Federation (VFF), which said the register would deliver greater transparency on foreign ownership.
But president Peter Tuohey said members were keen to see water assets included.
He said VFF members had fought long and hard for the establishment of a register – passing a resolution at this year’s annual conference calling for a comprehensive registry of all agricultural land and water assets owned by foreign persons or enterprises
“Now we have to get the design right,” Mr Tuohey said.
“As far as the VFF is concerned, any foreign ownership of farm land and water should go onto the register, no matter what it is worth.
“As the Prime Minister said it has helped build Australian agriculture over the last 200 years and it is important for the future as we seek to boost food production and food security.“This does not mean the VFF is opposed to foreign ownership.
For more of this story, purchase your copy of Wednesday's Sunraysia Daily 24-10-2012.
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