mmg.com.au

The Federal Government isn’t the ‘‘slightest bit’’ concerned about any legal challenge the Victorian Government might pursue after it banned cattle grazing in Alpine National Park.

Environment Minister Tony Burke has publicly rejected a Victorian Government proposal in December to reintroduce cattle to the heritage-listed national park for up to five months a year for five years.

Mr Burke said he took into account whether the state government’s proposal was in breach of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

‘‘The assessment has shown there is irrefutable evidence that cattle grazing would damage the sensitive natural environment, disturb the remote and wild character of the area, detract from aesthetic values, and erode its heritage values,’’ Mr Burke said.

The Victorian Government began a trial in the heritage-listed park involving 400 cows in January last year.

The Federal Government shut it down three months later.

It had argued the trial was to assess the effectiveness of cattle grazing as a bushfire fuel reduction strategy.

But Mr Burke rejected that argument.

‘‘It’s never been accepted that this is the most effective means of dealing with bushfire mitigation,’’ he said.

Mr Burke’s decision was predictable, Mountain Cattlemen of Victoria president Mark Coleman said.

‘‘Mr Burke’s announcement, which cites a legal opinion, is short on detail and leaves many questions unanswered. Given Mr Burke’s constant barrage against the trials, of course he would seek legal advice that reflected his personal views,’’ Mr Coleman said.

‘‘Mr Burke is relying heavily on the claim that the heritage values of the Alpine National Park would be compromised if cattle were allowed. The first mountain cattlemen settled in Victoria’s Eastern Mountains in about 1833, at the same time as the Hentys.

‘‘It is they and the people who followed them who created the living heritage and culture of the high country that is identified in the heritage legislation.

‘‘This same legislation is being now relied upon by Mr Burke to exclude the cattlemen.

‘‘Mr Burke is cherry-picking ‘heritage’ to suit his politics and the need to pacify the Greens in Canberra. In the process he is attempting to destroy the important heritage of the mountain cattlemen identified in the same legislation he is hiding behind.’’

The Victorian Farmers Federation’s Livestock Group says Mr Burke should butt out and allow the Victorian Government to fulfil its election commitment to allow the continuation of cattle grazing in the state’s alpine areas.

Livestock group president Chris Nixon said the Federal Government was interfering in the issue to suit its own agenda.