Farmers should have right to lock the gate to gas: Ag Minister

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said he supported the gas industry "with conditions", such strict regulations and scientific backing the development won't harm the environment.

He also called for farmers to have the right to block gas developments on their land. Currently under state planning laws, resource companies that are refused access can take farmers to court, where the odds are often in the companies favour.

"Farmers should always have a right to say no," Mr Littleproud said.

"That was the issue we had in Queensland to start with, these big companies came in and said we'll give you a couple hundred dollars a well - sign up otherwise we'll see you in the land court.

"For some of these farmers, the only legal interaction they've had is buying a property. So obviously people got pretty upset."

Although a state government issue, a landholder rights are expected to become a big issue in the near future, with Santos' 850-well gasfield near Narrabri getting approval last month.

The federal Nationals have been pushing for a "gas-lead" recovery to help the nation out of its pandemic-induced recession, despite organisations such the National Farmers' Federation and the NSW Farmers warning against it.

Lock the Gate spokesperson Georgia Woods said Mr Littleproud should put his money where his mouth is.

"Just saying things doesn't help," Ms Woods said.

"Nationals politicians like to pop up and say these things as if it exonerates them from the debate, but it doesn't.

"David Littleproud has influence and an opportunity to help farmers, by talking to the Prime Minister and the Energy Minister about the push to cover farming communities in gasfields."

Mr Littleproud said should farmers choose to have gas wells on their land, they should be adequately compensated - an area the industry hasdbegun to improve.

"I know one family in Condamine with 40 wells, picking up $8000 a well every year," Mr Littleproud said.

"But again, it's got to be predicated on science and farmers should always have a right to say no."