NSW Farmers Association  

After a long campaign to ensure science underpins the assessment of all mining and coal seam gas (CSG) projects, NSW Farmers applauds the deal struck between the Prime Minister and Tony Windsor.

The Federal Member for New England has negotiated a science-based framework for future mining and CSG projects with the Gillard Government, in exchange for his support on the mining tax.

President Fiona Simson says $150 million will be set aside to establish a new Independent Expert Scientific Committee to advise governments across the country on future approvals.

"We have always said we are not anti mining, and would like to see all planning decisions made on sound scientific evidence and advice," Mrs Simson said.

"This funding will provide a better, independent understanding of how the expansion of how coal mining and CSG will affect our water resources over the long term.

"The NSW Government is in the process of implementing its Strategic Regional Land Use Policy. We believe the new Federal Committee could play a key role once the Policy is in place," Mrs Simson said.

NSW Farmers will be requesting the opportunity to have input into how the Committee is established, as well as its role at the State level.

"This announcement is a step toward a more balanced approach to the mining and CSG approval process, and we’ll continue to look to both the Federal and NSW Governments to ensure the necessary planning frameworks are implemented," Fiona Simson concluded.