Radical farm conservation scheme for Australia

A radical farm care scheme is due to be announced in the May 8 Australian Budget.

The environmental care package would involve the Government entering long-term contracts with farmers to close off potentially large areas of their properties designated high-value conservation areas, the Australian Financial Review reports.

Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran confirmed to the newspaper that the Cabinet had approved the plan to pay producers for environmental husbandry. Only a price tag remained to be placed on the scheme in the lead up to the Budget.