Responding to reports the CSG industry peak body, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) would not accept farmland being quarantined from CSG exploration and development, NSW Farmers president Fiona Simson suggested if APPEA could not accept government policy it should walk away.

“All of the stakeholders are sitting around the table knowing what the government policy is and knowing there needs to be an upfront scientific assessment with the possibility of ruling out some land for mining and CSG because of its impact on water and agriculture,” Ms Simson told The Land.

“For APPEA to sit there with that attitude – what sort of spirit are they sitting there in? They literally want it all.”

Ms Simson said not quarantining land in line with the Coalition’s pre-election promise would be “a deal breaker” but indicated she still had faith in the government delivering on that policy.

Asked if NSW Farmers would walk away from the group, Ms Simson said “the question is whether CSG and mining representatives should back away. If they can’t support the policy, what are they doing there?

“There has been no indication the government is not going to follow its policy.”

APPEA reportedly wrote to the government last month saying it did “not support blanket ‘no go’ areas, as such an approach was not based on justifiable evidence.

The NSW Minerals Council also does not accept that some areas should be set aside from mining.

The Nature Conservation Council of NSW, part of the stakeholder reference group, has accused miners of being unwilling to negotiate on the changes.