The Environmental Portfolio implements environmental projects and programs in partnership with industry to position the horticulture industry as a good environmental steward.

Since 2003, approximately $22 million of voluntary contributions, industry levies and Government dollars has been invested through HAL into environmental research projects that are helping horticultural growers manage natural resources on-farm – including projects on water use efficiency, water quality, surviving the drought, pest management, best management practices and climate variability. 

HAL’s Environmental Program covers a wide range of activities that aim to conserve and enhance Australia’s natural resources through sustainable horticulture production. This involves considering decisions we make which impact on key components of the environment such as the soil, water, vegetation and fauna, while also taking into account horticulture’s effect on the whole catchment. The program includes:

• Land and soil management;
• Water management;
• Chemical management;
• Nutrient management
• Biodiversity;
• Waste management;
• Air management; and
• Energy management.

Australia's horticultural producers are already leading the way in environmental management. Horticultural crops account for only 17 per cent of total irrigation but produce more than 40 per cent of Australia’s irrigated production. Figures suggest that for every 100 mega litres of water used in horticulture $250,000 and four jobs are generated at the farm gate and approximately $0.5 billion injected into the economy. The industry acknowledges environmental stewardship as a priority and will continue to invest in understanding and improving its impact on the environment.

The scope of the environmental activities that have been undertaken within the horticulture industries to date is very broad, ranging from national scale programs, industry specific projects and Government Initiatives

A number of national scale environmental programs have been initiated within horticulture in response to the need for an industry driven response to environmental issues. These include:

1. Horticulture for Tomorrow
2. Horticulture Climate Initiative
3. Horticulture Water Initiative
4. National Horticulture Recycled Water Program
5. Horticulture Drought Information
6. National Program for Sustainable Irrigation

Funding for these national scale programs has been provided through Government initiatives, the across-industry committee and voluntary contributions.

For further detail on the above national environment initiatives, click here.

All of the above environment initiatives are implemented as part of the HAL Environment Portfolio Strategic Plan. To view the Strategies and Objectives of the Environment Portfolio, click here.