Her calls echo those of global food company SunRice and grassroots farmers who say the industry is primed to help ensure food security during this Coronavirus pandemic.
The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers member said the lack of rice on supermarket shelves this week is a dire warning.
‘‘We are facing an uncertain 18 months of restricted trade and travel,” Mrs Dalton said.
‘‘We need to be producing rice, dairy, wheat and other food staples here in Australia, and not relying on unstable imports from foreign countries in lockdown.’’ Mrs Dalton says simple rule changes from the NSW Government can provide farmers with a water allocation this season.
‘‘New South Wales Nationals leader John Barilaro has called on the federal government to provide water for farmers.
‘‘This is Ruby Princess-style buck passing.
‘‘In actual fact, his own government controls the tap for many New South Wales farmers. And he’s turned the tap off for the last two years.
‘‘In two years of zero allocation in the Murray Valley, our rice and dairy farmers have gone to the wall.’’
Mrs Dalton said the NSW Coalition could provide water ‘‘with the stroke of a pen’’.
‘‘For one, his government could return so-called ‘voluntary contributions’ to farmers.
‘‘Irrigators gave up a fixed percentage of their water entitlements in 2002, during wet times.
‘‘Given the current dire situation, the New South Wales Government should return this water to farmers now to guarantee food production.
“Secondly, when water is sent downstream, natural water losses, like evaporation and seepage, are currently subtracted from farmers’ productive water allocations. This can be re-classified to ensure farmers get this water.’’
Mrs Dalton has been calling for such changes for more than two years, and said these calls can no longer be ignored given the current pandemic.
‘‘These sensible changes would not harm the environment, but they would make a world of difference to broke farmers and our nation’s food security.’’
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