The Alexandra grazier at the centre of the latest “right to farm” controversy has given qualified support to the state government's decision to freeze action on an intensive agriculture planning permit.
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Planning Minister Richard Wynne will now make a decision on an intensive farming permit for David Blackmore's Wagyu operation, at Alexandra.
"Planning laws need to keep pace with changes to farming, we are making sure rules around farmland underpin one of Victoria's most vital industries," Mr Wynne said.
"Calling in Mr Blackmore's case is the first step in my assessment, which I will make with advice from the planning department.
"I will not pre-empt the final outcome."
Mr Blackmore had an intensive agriculture permit rejected by the Murrindindi Shire Council, despite support from its planning officers.
"It's a reprieve, nothing more than a reprieve," Mr Blackmore said.
"But it's a much bigger story than Murrindindi and David Blackmore - it's about a farmers right to farm in Victoria and nationally, as well."
He said he was loath to take the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, as it could take up to a year to be resolved.
"This last month has been horrendous enough, let alone another 12 months."
Mr Blackmore said he believed the stringent conditions, placed on the permit by Murrindindi Shire Council planning officers, should have been sufficient for it to pass.
Federal and state governments were asking farmers to double their production.
"If you are going to double your production, you have to intensify - that's just common sense," he said.
"The largest capital outlay for farmers is land - if you can double production, off your land, you are going to become more profitable.
"The only reason we had to have a permit was because we imported the majority of our food."
He said the government should look at overseas examples, such as in Holland, were a more holistic view was taken of the impact of intensive agriculture.
"You are measuring the nutrient input, measuring the soils, the water - that determines whether or not you get a permit," Mr Blackmore said.
"In Holland, they test once a year and you report every five years, that allows for seasonal fluctuations.
"The bottom line is that best-practice farming has to be encouraged and that includes all aspects of it, it includes looking after the environment, animal welfare, soil and water."
Authorities could take advice from overseas producers - "you don't have to reinvent the wheel, every time," he said.
