Historic environmental pact launched in Cairns
An agreement that confirms the commitment of the fertilizer industry and the Federal Government to enhance the industry’s environmental performance will be launched in Cairns today.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp, and the Chairman of the Fertilizer Industry Federation of Australia (FIFA), Peter McEwen, will attend the historic launch of the Fertilizer Eco-Efficiency Agreement.
The three-year agreement was signed by FIFA and the Department of the Environment and Heritage in May this year. It provides a framework and significant funding to support industry implementation of eco-efficiency measures and to produce an annual public environmental report.
FIFA is the industry association representing manufacturers, importers and distributors of fertilizers and associated services in Australia. Its members supply more than 95% of the 5.5 million tonnes of fertilizers used annually in Australia.
Eco-efficiency means producing more goods with less energy and fewer natural resources, resulting in less waste and pollution.
The Fertilizer Industry Eco-efficiency Agreement seeks to improve environmental performance in areas such as resource consumption, air emissions and discharges to water. The agreement also aims to improve the information provided to farmers and land managers to minimise environmental risk from the use of fertilizers through a national, competency-based training program, FERTCARE.
Under the theme of Government, Industry, Communities and Farmers working together for environmental and productivity gains, the launch will include a tour of the Incitec Pivot fertilizer facility in Cairns and a Gordonvale cane farm before the official launch of the agreements at the Mulgrave Sugar Mill.
The Canegrowers Eco-efficiency Agreement will also be launched at the same event.
Mr McEwen said the agreements presented a great opportunity for both industries to showcase some of their eco-efficiency works and measures at a time when nutrients in the environment were receiving increasing attention.
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CONTACT Nick Drew, Executive Manager, FIFA
Phone (02) 6230 6987 or (0411) 410 903
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