Federal Agriculture minister Joe Ludwig is encouraging his state and territory counterparts to develop a harmonised framework on future Coal Seam Gas developments.

The call came ahead of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council meeting in Melbourne tomorrow.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Mr Ludwig said CSG regulation was largely a state responsibility, unless there were issues of national environmental significance, but it was important for states and territories to embrace common best practice approaches to regulating coal seam gas developments.

"Resources and energy minister Martin Ferguson and his department are engaged in discussion aimed at achieving an agreed best practice approach to regulating industry including the use of chemicals, water management issues, and landholder and community engagement," Mr Ludwig said.

“It’s time for the states and territories to adopt a harmonised framework as a more robust means of ensuring protection of the environment, water and land use. This would provide a consistent set of rules for the future development of the industry."

He said both industries were important for Australia’s future.

“This is a big issue for regional communities but the first step is to develop and implement a consistent approach.”