The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) warns that newly enforced federal environmental laws have made land management exceptionally difficult for primary producers, exposing them to confusing regulations, costly assessments, and severe penalties for routine farming tasks.
Sweeping changes to the Federal Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act took effect in December 2025, with the newly established National Environmental Protection Agency commencing strict enforcement on July 1, 2026.
The VFF argues the regulations are unworkable for the agricultural sector and place an unfair compliance burden on landholders. Under the amended framework, farmers may now require formal federal
approval before clearing any vegetation that has not been cleared within the past 15 years—even if the trees or scrub were originally planted by the landowners themselves.
VFF president Ryan Milgate said the legislative shift has fundamentally altered how farmers must approach their daily property management.
“These laws have changed the question farmers ask every day,” Mr. Milgate said.
“Instead of asking, ‘can I manage this part of my farm?’, we’re now asking, ‘do I need the Federal Government’s permission to keep farming?’. That’s a major change, and most Victorian farmers don’t even know it has happened.”
According to the VFF, the new laws shift the onus onto farmers to identify nationally protected flora and fauna, self-assess whether routine agricultural work will have a “significant impact”, and interpret complex environmental legal definitions.
While the Federal Government is currently developing a draft compliance guide to explain the new regulations, the document already spans more than 50 pages.
“If it takes more than 50 pages to explain the law, it’s a pretty good sign it’s too complicated,” Mr Milgate said.
“Farmers shouldn’t have to become environmental lawyers and ecologists just to decide whether they can clear regrowth, remove weeds, or carry out normal farm maintenance.”
Further concerns have been raised regarding the regulation’s heavy reliance on government mapping and data, which the VFF stresses may not accurately reflect actual ground conditions.
The consequences for non-compliance are severe, with maximum penalties for breaching the act reaching up to $16.5 million in fines or seven years’ imprisonment.
Mr Milgate argued the legislation treats ongoing agricultural operations like a static, one-off construction or mining project.
“Farming isn’t mining or construction,” he said.
“Farmers make decisions every day based on the weather, seasons, and changing conditions. These laws don’t recognise that reality.”
The VFF highlighted that Victorian landholders are particularly exposed to the law due to the high density of nationally protected species and habitats across the state’s agricultural zones.
Despite this exposure, the lobby group claims there has been minimal effort by the Federal Government to directly educate regional communities about the changes.
“Farmers want to do the right thing for the environment.
We care deeply about the land we look after, but the rules need to be clear, practical, and workable. Right now, they’re none of those things,” Mr Milgate said.
The VFF is urging the Federal Government to amend the legislation to ensure primary producers can manage their properties with confidence while still delivering positive environmental outcomes.
