Also in The Age today, Peter Cullen has come out and said that we have to stop just “throwing money” at farmers who are farming in regions that are unsustainable.

I though Cullen’s comment that “We need to work out how to get them off the land with dignity” showed an unusual level of sensitivity for an environmentalist (ie he actually cares about the dignity of these farmers). Moreover he provides what seem to be viable solutions (see article for details).

I always find situations like this difficult to deal with - where there appears to be a direct conflict between social and ecological issues. As I continually argue social and ecological justice are two inseparable parts of the same whole. Neither can be compromised on any issue. So creative alternatives need to be found - new solutions that get outside the old dualisms of nature/humanity, and this is just as much of a criticism of the environment movement as it is in the case of the farmers here.

So when I read things like this:

Professor Cullen said governments should pay farmers for “eco-system services” such as planting trees, reducing erosion, and improving water quality and rivers so that society reaped the benefits of clean air and water.

I get a little excited. At least at face value it seems that the skills of a farmer can still be utilised and young farmers can still be trained in these skills. Moreover their work helps the environment and replenishes their assets.

It is also noteworthy that we should be encouraging the farming of native flora and fauna. I understand it is still illegal to kill a Kangaroo for human consumption in Victoria. Kangaroo is bloody good meat so to prevent us from eating Victorian Roos when they are in plague proportion in certain areas seems like madness to me.