AgForce has met with Senator Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water to discuss the implementation of the EPBC reforms and their implications for Queensland agriculture.
AgForce CEO Niki Ford said the meeting formed part of AgForce's ongoing engagement across both state and federal processes to ensure Queensland agriculture has a strong, informed and protected voice as reforms are rolled out.
"AgForce has been engaging across all aspects of the EPBC reforms, at both state and federal levels, to ensure Queensland agriculture is properly understood and represented," Ms Ford said.
"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."
Ms Ford said the discussion focused on avoiding the unintended capture of routine and low-impact agricultural activities and ensuring reform settings remain practical, proportionate and workable for producers.
"We were clear that poorly targeted regulatory burden risks undermining both productivity and environmental outcomes," she said.
"Farmers are already delivering land stewardship outcomes every day, and the regulatory framework must support, not obstruct, that role."
The meeting was attended by AgForce representatives alongside AgForce member Brent Finlay, a former National Farmers' Federation President with extensive experience representing producers through drought and natural disaster.
"Having strong producer voices at the table is essential to grounding these reforms in reality," Ms Ford said.
Ms Ford welcomed the Minister's commitment to ongoing engagement and a proposed on-farm visit in Queensland in coming weeks. "Seeing these issues firsthand on farm is critical," she said.
"It provides an opportunity to demonstrate how environmental protection and productive agriculture are delivered together."
While acknowledging that implementation remains at an early stage, Ms Ford said significant work remains - particularly as Environmental Standards continue to be developed.
"This is not a 'set and forget' reform process," she said. "AgForce will continue to advocate strongly to ensure the final settings are workable, evidence-based and reflective of Queensland production systems."
