Farmers voiced the need to be heard in the development of the state’s update to firearms regulations at this week’s NSW Farmers Annual Conference.
More than 200 conference delegates called on the NSW Government to urgently address feasibility issues for farmers in the new laws passed at Christmas.
NSW Farmers Vice President Justin Everitt said the sudden, sweeping changes to firearms laws made without consultation created unintended consequences for farm businesses.
“For farmers these are vital tools that are needed to do a job, and we’ve made it clear to the NSW Government that it needs to get the settings right around their new laws,” Mr Everitt said.
“There are several areas we are trying to see resolved through the regulation process to manage the feasibility of the changes for farmers and landscape management, including biosecurity.
“The workability of the new regulations remains unclear for the agriculture sector and farmers across the state called for urgent action from the government to listen to stakeholders and resolve these key issues.”
“If these are not addressed, implementation will cause further problems for operations and pest control.”
The conference agreed that the NSW Government must urgently address outstanding issues including:
· Exemptions from the mandatory gun club membership requirement.
· More feasible firearm caps including a reliable pathway to apply for additional firearms based on primary production requirements.
· Cumulative caps for licences based on their approved genuine reasons.
· Restoration of a merit review pathway to appeal licensing decisions.
· Fair compensation for licence holders required to surrender firearms to meet new requirements and avoid financial hardship.
· Recognition of the important role of recreational shooters in pest management for agriculture. · Retention of five-year licence terms – not a reduction to two-years
Media Release: NSW Farmers
