Following the media row over manure earlier this year, the Environment Protection Authority Victoria has turned to agricultural groups in an effort to pub-test draft regulations.
Dairy Australia and the UDV combined to develop their submission to the EPA in March.
In the submission, UDV president Paul Mumford warned the EPA change was afoot in the dairy sector and rules around waste needed to reflect that.
“The industry has an eye to the future and a view that the new framework must provide flexibility to allow this adaptation and change,” Mr Mumford said.
The trend towards barn farming means more farmers are in a position to turn effluent into a value-added resource, by composting or selling it off.
The two dairy groups were also concerned about new paperwork responsibilities for farmers.
Mr Mumford said the EPA needed to be careful not to “seek to duplicate or expand” on the extensive red tape dairy farmers already deal with as perishable goods providers, unless the risk is “scientifically valid”.
Australian Pork Ltd was another body involved in the feedback process.
APL used the opportunity to request an exemption for compost.
In the APL submission, policy director Heidi Reid said the APL was concerned by the EPA’s failure to properly explain how it will regulate manure, animal waste and organic compost.
Ms Reid said the lack of clear guidelines created “significant unease” within the industry.
“APL believes a new classification for agriculture manure and organic compost should be inserted into the Environment Protection Act 2017,” Ms Reid said.
The Australian Chicken Growers’ Council delivered a submission which focused on the poultry sector’s role as a major manure supplier.
ACGC executive officer Michael Moore urged the EPA to consult more heavily with industry groups, saying it was “unfortunate” COVID-19 interrupted scheduled consultations in 2020.
“Given the range of organics, manures, fill materials and aggregates to which determinations will apply, it is crucial that EPA Victoria create and maintain strong links to affected industries,” Mr Moore said.
“I am sure you (EPA) share ACGC’s aim of seeing this policy cause as little unintended disruption as possible.”
The chicken body suggested dirty litter be given a free pass when it comes to storage and transportation rules because it was a more “benign waste” than effluent and manure.
The ACGC also requested further clarification on the 20 cubic metre rule (a truck and dog load), which allows a delivery of manure that's 20 cubic metres or under to not require paperwork.
The VFF also focused on manure, scolding the EPA for being poor communicators.
“It would be disappointing if the growth in the use of alternative fertilisers … was hampered by onerous regulations (both real and perceived),” the 28-page VFF submission read.
The VFF advised the EPA to look towards existing framework already followed by farmers — such as the DA’s guide to composting on dairy farms and the APL’s Quality Assurance Program — before attempting to re-invent the wheel.
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