Cutting Back Water Rights Could Lead to Higher Milk Prices, Farmers Warn

The Australian government has announced that water rights would return to 10 percent, 20 percent lower than promised.

Man loads a Pura milk truck in Albany, Western Australia, on Aug. 14, 2023. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

Milk prices could rise, farmers could be less resilient to drought, and communities could need more water to fight fires after the New South Wales (NSW) government significantly changed coastal harvestable water rights for agriculturalists.

The government announced the water rights would return to 10 percent on Sept. 27, overturning the former government’s decision to increase the amount to 30 percent.