Foreword

To guide and ensure a nationally consistent approach to the development of EMS and related assurance schemes, Australia’s National Framework for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in Agriculture was developed by governments with significant input from industry and the community. The National Framework was endorsed by the Natural Resource Management (NRM) Ministerial Council in October 2002 and provides a set of principles that describe the broad parameters needed to achieve consistency and acceptance of EMS across the agricultural sector.

Importantly, the Framework emphasises that the adoption of an EMS by a business is voluntary and that the roles of government and industry groups are to facilitate the provision of information and assistance.

In response to industry calls that the momentum on EMS should not be lost, the NRM Ministerial Council established a joint Australian / State Government EMS Implementation Working Group to develop a plan that identifies actions for Australian and State and Territory Government agencies to give effect to the National Framework. The EMS Implementation Plan maps government involvement in EMS over the next five years, especially how suitable partnerships will be developed between industry, governments and the community to implement Australia’s National Framework for EMS in Agriculture.

The EMS Implementation Plan was endorsed in October 2003 and demonstrates the commitment of the NRM Ministerial Council to supporting EMS development in agriculture and to creating productive partnerships with industry and community groups. It is not intended that the proposed government action be undertaken in isolation or without the support and/or input of industry and/or community sectors. It is also acknowledged that the EMS Implementation Plan is just one initiative aimed at contributing to the sustainable management of natural resources.

In accordance with the basic philosophy in the EMS process, a brief risk assessment was undertaken in relation to the major assumptions used to underpin the Framework and the EMS Implementation Plan, and is outlined within the Plan.

The support of the community/ industry EMS Steering Committee is acknowledged, particularly by seeking industry comment on a draft of the Plan. Detailed comment on the content and direction of the draft Plan was provided which enabled the finalisation of the Plan consistent with the objectives of industry.

Andrew Johnson
Chair
EMS Implementation Working Group

Previous page | Contents | Next page