Too much farmland being lost to mining: environmentalist
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An upper Hunter environmentalist says the future needs of the region's farming sector are being overlooked due to the money being generated by coal mining.
At a climate change forum in Newcastle yesterday, Bev Smiles called on the Government to stop approving new mines.
But a Government representative admitted there are no plans to cut coal production to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Ms Smiles says too much farmland is being lost to mining and the land that is available will be impacted by climate change.
"I don't think anyone in New South Wales or Australia has seriously been asked, if you have a choice between coal and food what would your choice be?" she said.
"If we're going to become more and more reliant on importing our food because we can no longer grow it, then I would suggest that our long-term security is severely at risk."
