Landcare unveils carbon trading market to help farmers
7:17 AM March 1
Farmers are getting the jump on the Federal Government in the fight against greenhouse gas emissions by introducing their own carbon trading market.
Landcare is today unveiling a program connecting businesses that want to offset their emissions with farmers who are willing to plant extra trees.
A prime ministerial task force is currently examining a nationwide carbon trading scheme.
Landcare chief executive Brian Scarsbrick says the farmers' scheme will have a dual effect.
"We believe in the long-term though that carbon offsets will really drive revegetation across the landscape," he said.
"Corporate dollars going into revegetation across the Australian landscape to really make it happen."
Farmers will be encouraged to plant extra trees and then sell carbon credits to companies.
Landcare says 10 hectares of trees could yield about $20,000 over 30 years.
Garth Strong, a farmer from the Riverina in New South Wales, says the scheme is a good way of supplementing his income.
"I think it's something to look at, especially if you're doing revegetation, making tree lines wide enough to qualify for carbon trading," he said.
"The single lines of trees aren't much good - they really need fairly substantial plantings - but there's definitely a win-win situation I think." Source: ABC
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