VOLUNTARY AND NEGOTIATED AGREEMENTS IN AGRICULTURE: TOWARDS A PARTNERSHIP APPROACH TO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

NEIL GUNNINGHAM

ABSTRACT:

This article examines the role of voluntary and negotiated agreements between industry and government as specific forms of environmental partnership, and as an alternative to command and control regulation. It argues that voluntary agreements offer, at best, only very modest results and that this approach should be treated with very considerable caution. However, the prognosis for negotiated agreements is more positive. In some circumstances and in relation to some environmental problems at least, they offer an attractive, and as yet under-utilised, policy option. It is suggested that, suitably harnessed and designed, they could make a valuable contribution to resolving the broader environmental challenge facing Australian agriculture.