Strong uptake of good wintering practices
DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.
It is also supporting farmers to make submissions on both consultations.
Consultation on the proposed intensive winter grazing amendments proposed by the Government is open until October 27.
The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) says it has received feedback that aspects of the intensive winter grazing regulations may require modification to support effective implementation and achieve improved environmental outcomes.
"This particularly relates to conditions that are weather-dependent or difficult to practically comply with. We are proposing changes to the conditions so the regulations can operate as they were intended to," MfE says.
DairyNZ says the potential deferral of wintering regulations to November 2022 will provide time for detail to be worked out and enables farmers to continue their plans for next season.
While there has been a two-week extension in light of Covid-19 lockdown, DairyNZ remains very concerned about the broader pace and scale of regulatory change facing farmers and the schedule of reforms underway.
"We want farmers and industry representatives to have time to provide robust feedback during the many government consultation processes underway, so regulations are practical behind the farm gate and achieve the desired outcomes.
"We know regulatory change is having an impact on farmer wellbeing. The policies coming through government departments must be prioritised, phased and better managed as a collective."
