The Australian Cane Farmers Association (ACFA) has slammed comments made by Nick Heath of the WWF regarding the decline in condition of the Great Barrier Reef.

Issued by the Australian and Queensland Governments, the report into the overall condition of the Reef has revealed that it has gone from moderate to poor, with Mr. Heath insinuating that this is due to lack of adoption of improved practices by the sugar industry.

Don Murday, Chairman of the ACFA said that Heath’s recent comments in the media are misleading and failed to reflect the great work the sugar industry is doing to improve on-farm practices.

“Farmers and industry professionals are working tirelessly to ensure practices are constantly being reviewed and improved for the benefit of the environment

“It is very irresponsible for statements to be thrown around on a public platform which point the blame for the reported decline at farmers” Murday said.

In the report, Federal Environment Minister Mark Butler and Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell both highlighted the good progress that farm management changes have had in reducing pollutant loads entering the reef.

“We cannot let these absurd comments overshadow the exceptional progress that our industry has already made or the work which is continuing to better farm practices”

The ACFA will continue to encourage, support and work with farmers to implement improved farm practices.