ENB:04:11
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AUSTRALIA: Dr. Geoff Miller, Associate Secretary
for Agriculture, explained that the Convention required long-term
solutions to improve production and reduce dependence. He
explained Australia's efforts and experiences in combatting
desertification, pointing out that the partnership between the
government and the people is important. He then explained in
detail how Australia's Land Care programme and the merging of all
natural resource-based agencies have revolutionized the
management of arid and semi-arid lands, but at high cost. He
concluded that the programmes initiated must be based on the
community's aspirations and that expert advice must be available
but should not control people.