In a massive win for farmers, the CFS has confirmed it will no longer push ahead with its plans to review the Grain Harvest Code of Practice.

Last year the Liberal Opposition stood with the state’s farmers and Grain Producers SA (GPSA) in opposing a proposal by the CFS to reduce the Grassland Fire Danger Index cease harvest number to 40 at 10 metres – the equivalent of roughly 28 at two metres.

The Grassland Fire Danger Index will remain at the current threshold of 35 at 2 metres.

Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Adrian Pederick, said the announcement will provide farmers with the reassurance that they can continue operating as they have been for the past decade. 

“The existing system has been adhered to since it was introduced because it is a workable system for the farmers. Changing something that works is not in anyone’s interest and I’m glad the CFS has realised that,” Mr Pederick said.

“Harvest is already a very stressful time for grain producers and many reaping days can be lost to wet weather, as was the case this season. We don’t need to drag the process out longer than necessary and make it more time consuming.”

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Nicola Centofanti, said she was relieved for the grain industry who were worried about the impact a drawn-out harvest would have on the quality of grain.

“This is great news for our farmers and $4.6 billion grain industry who no longer need to worry about the massive implications the proposal would have had on their harvest operations,” Dr Centofanti said.

“It is quite evident that the proposal did not sit well with our primary producers, so I’m pleased their concerns were listened to and the right outcome was reached.”