Australian businesses ‘hungry’ to pay farmers to protect biodiversity in world-first scheme, says Littleproud

Agriculture minister says Australia will be the first to reward farmers for reducing emissions and improving biodiversity on their land

The agriculture minister, David Littleproud, has declared Australian business is hungry" to pay farmers to protect biodiversity under a world-first" scheme designed to reward environmental improvements alongside emissions reduction.

Last week's federal budget included funding for a multi-stage agriculture biodiversity stewardship package that aims to make it attractive for farmers to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lift biodiversity protection on their land.