Preamble
Norco Co-operative Ltd was established in 1895 and has been representing the interests of dairy farmers and the broader agricultural sector for over 117 years. Norco is connected to its rural communities through its diverse range of businesses, including its milk processing and packing factories, its Rural Stores network and its Goldmix stock and animal nutrition business.
Norco has and will continue to advocate for appropriate outcomes for rural communities and businesses, having regard always to the obligation of society generally to respect and protect our valuable agricultural resources, not least of which is the precious environment in which we all live and work. In that context Norco has adopted the following policy on mining and Coal Seam Gas (CSG) exploration and extraction.
Policy
1. Environmental Responsibility and Future Food Security
Any proposed project relating to mining and CSG exploration and / or extraction must be proven to be environmentally safe prior to its commencement. Further, any such project must not interfere unreasonably with the productive capacity of farms. In addition, the integral beauty of our rural regions on which we rely in promoting and marketing our products in Australia and as exports overseas, and which we hold on trust for future generations, must be protected.2. The Use of Prime Agricultural Land
Prime agricultural land and land which is subject to intensive agricultural activities such as dairying and horticulture should be protected from mining and CSG exploration and extraction. This land should be preserved as such in order to maintain the agricultural productivity of the relevant region and in order to protect the future food security of Australia.3. Landowners' Rights
Mining and CSG exploration and / or extraction should not occur on land without the consent of the owner(s) of that land. Where mining or CSG exploration and / or extraction project has been demonstrated to satisfactorily address the environmental and food security issues referred to in paragraph 1 above, commencement of that project should be subject to appropriate compensation being paid to the relevant landowner(s). Such compensation should address, without limitation, any adverse impact on the concurrent agricultural use of the relevant land and should be commensurate with reasonable commercial outcomes.4. Proximity to Homes
Mining and CSG exploration or extraction should only be permitted within a reasonableFor further reading: NORCO
mutually agreed distance of residential areas or individual farm residences / dairies after
appropriate consultation between all affected parties.
I personally welcomed this policy by NORCO in the year of the Co-Op and more businesses should follow suit with the same sort of Policy. I think this may have been the lynch pin in the deal to buy back the company from New Zealand's Fontera Australia Holdings.
I welcome this change and I have personally asked for this to happen and I am amazed that this along with the Catholic Church and the Mining Bribery Scandal all in one day is rather remarkable!
Review Date: January 2013
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