Greens shared values with state’s farmers

2018-07-20

Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam will call on the Andrews Government and Liberal National coalition to commit to making the moratorium on onshore gas drilling permanent when she addresses the Victorian Farmers Federation 2018 conference in Ballarat today.

Preventing the state’s valuable land and food production areas from being exploited for fossil fuel production is one of several shared values between The Greens and the state’s farmers.

Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens leader, Samantha Ratnam

“Gas exploration, whether conventional or unconventional, degrades soil and risks contamination of water sources. We need to look to the future, not cling to the past, and we know Victoria can be powered by clean energy if we have the political courage.

“The effects of climate change typically hit farmers first, and they hit hard. President of the National Farmers Federation, Fiona Simpson, recently acknowledged farmers can’t and won’t ignore what is right before their eyes. The Greens want to work with farmers around Victoria to address climate change and protect our valuable food producing areas.

“The Greens support developing regional food hubs, farmers markets and cooperatives. We want Victorians to support their farmers by eating and shopping local. We believe in livable communities throughout the state, and our farmers play a vital role in making that a reality.”