But the Federal Member for Mallee, John Forrest, yesterday denied that he had ever been a supporter of horticultural MIS, claiming he had “railed against” them since their inception.

“As a member of the previous government, I have to accept some responsibility for the decision to extend the tax concessions for forestry MIS to horticultural schemes,” Mr Forrest said.

“But I consistently argued against any kind of tax incentive that was going to distort markets for horticultural produce.”

In yesterday’s Sunraysia VFF press release, Mr Pedulla says the branch had made “forceful” representations to Victorian Water Minister Tim Holding and his advisers, urging them to withdraw their support for MIS schemes as the model for expanding irrigated horticulture in north-western Victoria.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Friday's Sunraysia Daily, 1/5/2009.