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A Victorian Coalition Government will reinstate strategic cattle grazing to reduce the risk of fire in Victoria’s high country, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said today.

Announcing the policy with Leader of The Nationals Peter Ryan at the Mountain Cattlemen Association’s annual gathering in Boisdale, Mr Walsh said the Brumby Government had thrown Victoria’s graziers on the scrapheap.

"Victoria’s mountain cattlemen are an Australian icon and deserve better than the arrogant and dismissive treatment they have received from the Brumby Government," Mr Walsh said.

"A Coalition Government will restore Victoria’s rich alpine history by reinstating strategic cattle grazing in the Victorian high country.

"Cattle grazing can be an important tool to reduce fire risk where appropriate on Crown land.

"The role of grazing in reducing the frequency and severity of fire on public land has been ignored by the Brumby Government," Mr Walsh said.

Mr Walsh said the cattlemen’s annual gathering had helped preserve long-held traditions.

"Since the ban on grazing in the high country, the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association has worked extremely hard to ensure their long-held traditions are not forgotten," Mr Walsh said.

"Unless cattle are allowed to return to Victoria’s alpine country, a vital part of Victoria’s history will be lost.

"The cattlemen have cared for the land for generations and understand the high country like few others can.

"The Brumby Government disregarded years of local knowledge and practical experience when it ended 150 years of tradition by banishing cattle from the Alpine National Park.

"A Coalition Government is committed to the responsible management of Victoria’s public land and reducing fire risk," Mr Walsh said.

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