Dairy shed amnesty period extended

The Victorian dairy shed water licence amnesty period has been extended to 26 March 2010.

The Dairy Shed Water Licence Transition Program, developed with input from the Victorian Farmer's Federation, the Australian Dairy Products Federation and implemented by rural water corporations, was put in place to give farmers the chance to ensure the water used in their shed is licensed properly.

This extension allows farmers an additional month to make sure they are fully licensed or send their licence applications into their local water corporation.

Department of Sustainability and Environment Manager Resource Policy and Licensing, Patrick O'Halloran said the program is being run in close consultation with organisations that represent dairy farmers.

"We have taken the feedback from the organisations onboard and extended the deadline so that dairy farmers have more time to ask questions and clarify their licensing requirements," Mr O'Halloran said.

"Under the program so far, hundreds of farmers have applied for licences or to have their current licence amended. This means we are getting a more accurate picture of what water is actually being used in the dairy and that helps ensure sustainable management."

Find out more about the dairy shed amnesty program.