Mr Crombie slammed the plan for failing in its prerogative to balance economic, social and environmental issues facing the Basin's water use.

“All indications are that this balance will be nonexistent. From what we have gathered the agenda within the MDBA is to apportion the environment all priorities, with agricultural production getting what’s leftover," Mr Crombie said.

“Such an outcome would decimate farm production across the Basin and the jobs and communities that rely on it.

“Further, while the new regime will make farmers accountable for water use, the water being tapped by federal and state governments for meeting environmental needs will not be subjected to anywhere near the same scrutiny."

He said, however, this was not about agriculture versus the environment.

“Irrigators and regional communities want healthy rivers too, in fact, they depend on them. NFF has supported the principles of water reform for many years but the implementation is just not cutting it and the uncertainty in our communities is driving them to breaking point."