Alpine grazing battle not over till the cows come home – permanently!
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Media release
More than 500 people filled the Box Hill Town Hall last night in a strong show of public opposition to the State Government's six-year alpine grazing trial.
"This issue has angered conservationists, scientists and thousands of ordinary Victorians, and we intend to continue our campaign until the cows come home - permanently," said the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) executive director Matt Ruchel.
Environment groups welcomed the cutting short of this year's grazing season, but warned that unless the trial was permanently abandoned, or outlawed by federal environment minister Tony Burke, the cattle could be back next summer.
"The cattle grazing trial is flawed scientifically and legally - Premier Baillieu should step in and permanently abandon the trial before this debacle embarrasses his government any further," said The Wilderness Society's national campaign director Lyndon Schneiders.
Federal environment minister Tony Burke told the crowd that if existing federal laws don't prove strong enough to prevent damaging activities like cattle grazing, he will examine ways to amend the laws to give the Federal Government greater powers to protect national parks for future generations.
After tomorrow's deadline to remove the cattle, the Federal Government will legally be able to begin a proper assessment of the grazing trial to determine if it breaches national environmental laws.
"Victorian environment minister Ryan Smith has agreed to remove the cattle this week, but he still hasn't said whether cattle will be sent back in again next summer, and the State Government hasn't backed away from the planned six-year trial," Mr Schneiders said.
"The Bushfires Royal Commission did not recommend cattle grazing as a fuel reduction tool, or even make it a priority for further research," said Mr Ruchel.
"What's really needed is an independent, highly-qualified scientific panel to assess and prioritise genuine research needs for fire and park management, in line with the Royal Commission's recommendations," he said.
During the town hall meeting this public statement was endorsed by participants:
We call on the Victorian Government to:
- No Alpine Grazing: Immediately and permanently remove cattle from the Alpine National Park and abandon the current deeply flawed trial.
- Real Research: Initiate a highly qualified scientific panel to assess and prioritise research needs for fire and park management, in line with the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations.
- Improve Park Management: Significantly increase funding for systematic on-ground management including pest plant and animal control in the Alpine National Park and in the rest of the reserve system across the state.
We call on the Australian Government to:
- Stop Grazing in the Alpine National Park: Use its powers under national environmental laws to ensure cattle are removed permanently from the Alpine National Park.
- Make National Parks National: Initiate a review of national environmental laws and funding to improve recognition, protection and management (including pest animals and plants) of national parks and other protected areas across Australia.
For comment
- Phil Ingamells, VNPA Parks Protection Officer - 0427 705 133.
- Lyndon Schneiders, TWS national campaign director - 0451 633 200.
