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CONTACT:

IU 019/16 Nitrogen capping discussion with Government

Matt Kealley, Senior Manager Environment &
Sustainability

DATE: 11/03/2016

The term Nitrogen Capping has been used as an initial option by the Great Barrier Reef
Water Science Taskforce to improve water quality and meet nitrogen targets.
CANEGROWERS does not support the terminology and has met with the Queensland
Government to discuss the matter.
The term Nitrogen Capping has been picked up in the district networks as one option to
meet the nitrogen targets and reduce the risk to water quality. This idea was proposed by
members of the Great Barrier Reef Water Science Taskforce.
CANEGROWERS does not support the terminology. It sends the wrong message to the cane
industry and to growers. Engagement in Smartcane BMP is increasing and benchmarking in
the core modules has reached over 50% of the cane area.
CANEGROWERS Queensland CEO Dan Galligan and Environment & Sustainability
Manager Matt Kealley met with the Office of the Great Barrier Reef and Department of
Environment & Heritage Protection to discuss the matter on 11 March 2016.
The Queensland Government has not endorsed any of the recommendations made by the
Great Barrier Reef Water Science Taskforce. The Government advised it will consider the
recommendations with other information and advice from stakeholders. Government also
outlined it will consult with CANEGROWERS on the regulatory approaches being
considered.
Government representatives were left with no doubt that CANEGROWERS did not support
nitrogen capping.
The outcome of this meeting was that CANEGROWERS will provide advice in writing to the
Queensland Government and Office of the Great Barrier Reef. Further consultation will
occur with Queensland Chief Scientist Geoff Garrett and CANEGROWERS has asked to be
present at the May 2016 taskforce meeting.
Since 2010, the Queensland Government, through its Reef Regulations, has set a regulated
method for nitrogen and phosphorus rates for growers in Wet Tropics, Burdekin, MackayWhitsundays. Enforcing the regulated method is part of the compliance activities that the
Queensland Government will be undertaking from March 2016 onwards.

CANEGROWERS supports Six Easy Steps and the 15 years of research science and data that
validates its methodology. This is currently Industry Best Practice. The Smartcane BMP is
supports Six Easy Step As Industry Standard. Growers who complete Smartcane BMP,
take soil tests, calculate their fertiliser rates using Six Easy Steps, and keeping records, will
easily meet the regulatory requirement.
CANEGROWERS also supports the approach to getting better Nitrogen Use Efficiency on
farm to improve productivity and profitability and reduce risk to the environment.
CANEGROWERS has been working with industry, SRA, the Queensland Government, the
Australian Government, NGOs and NRM to achieve this.
There is a significant amount of research being conducted in the nitrogen area, including
work on Enhanced Efficiency Fertilisers, climate forecasting, application technology,
precision agriculture and looking at options for more targeted rates based on yield and
management zones in blocks.
CANEGROWERS is supportive of the research as it leads to continuous improvement which
is the foundation of Smartcane BMP and best management practices. The validation, review
and acceptance of proven science on nitrogen will lead to better Nitrogen Use Efficiency.
Using terminology like nitrogen capping and pre-empting science is not constructive and
sends the wrong message to the cane industry and particular growers.

ENDS