ITS A WIN-WIN
Member for Western Victoria Region, Bev McArthur used an adjournment debate in Parliament this week to ask the Minister for Agriculture to encourage a review of onerous roadside grazing regulation.
Mrs McArthur has argued for the deregulation of roadside grazing since her time as a Councillor in the Corangamite Shire, and repeatedly throughout her time in Parliament.
Mrs McArthur contended that relaxing roadside grazing regulation was particularly urgent given the bushfire crisis which has led to the contamination of water supplies and a lack of fodder for livestock in fire affected areas.
Bev McArthur said “It is a common-sense solution, not simply providing free fodder for livestock but reducing fire risk, increasing driver visibility, tidying up the roadside and reducing native fauna roadkill. Most importantly, however, it reduces the fuel load on our roadsides.”
“Now more than ever, roads should be a firebreak, not a fire wick. Roadside grazing will improve the long-term safety of our rural communities.”
“Native vegetation was burnt and grazed for generations before roads existed. Our Indigenous community have proven that native vegetation benefits from fire and grazing.”
In any case she argued “Are roadsides the best place to preserve remanent vegetation” and indeed “should native vegetation take precedence over human life and livestock?”
Bev McArthur asked the Minister for Agriculture to “stand up for farmers and livestock and urgently review these ridiculous regulations. It is a win-win solution.’
6 February 2020