The Australian Greens said today that the Agriculture Minister was trying to downplay cuts to Landcare and natural resource management by spruiking the merits of the Green Army.

"The government's Green Army regime does not make up for cuts to Landcare and environmental programs. It is an employment program, and a deeply flawed one at that," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens agriculture spokesperson said today.

"The Green Army's environmental credentials are sorely lacking. This program does not adequately deal with serious issues such as climate change and the impact it is having on farmers and growers around the country.

"It does not provide a genuine entry into environmental management for young people. As a training program it cannot replace skilled environmental workers, and it's delivery is coming at the cost of Landcare and NRM funding, which has been cut in the budget.

"Effective NRM programs, such as those provided through Landcare and Caring for our Country, are crucial to our ongoing environmental and agricultural security, and taking money out of these areas and spending it on the Green Army will have long term consequences.

"On top of the poor environmental outcomes, the Green Army program offers no genuine pathways into ongoing employment for participants. The training components of the scheme are not compulsory and participants will be denied a guaranteed number of hours and basic employment protections that other trainees receive.

"If the government were genuine about protecting farmland and the environment, they would be investing more into NRM and environmental services and taking decisive action on climate change, not trying to hide their cuts with ineffective training programs," Senator Siewert concluded.