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Colin Hurst, Federated Farmers, says farm plans have huge potential to cut unnecessary red tape.
OPINION: The Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable is welcome, and long overdue.
The changes are a positive start that will give farmers a lot of confidence for the future. The changes are largely in line with what the industry has been advocating for over the past six years.
The changes should cut the cost and complexity out of the system and reduce the number of farms required to have a plan and to take a risk-based approach to certification. The new plans should also manage environmental impacts, but without unnecessary red tape, and they won’t be required for small blocks.
Federated Farmers Colin Hurst says farm plans have huge potential to cut unnecessary red tape, compliance costs, and consenting requirements for farmers. He says a tailored farm planning system that takes a risk-based approach will provide strong environmental protections without the over-the-top bureaucracy we’ve seen in recent years.
“For a farmer, this has the potential to be a game changer, replacing the need for expensive and uncertain resource consents or constantly changing council rules,” he says.
It’s a feather in the Government’s cap, and Hurst says the Government are making all the right noises. However, farmers should still keep a close eye on the process and lobby groups should keep engaging with them to make sure the system works in practice.
On the Government side, Andrew Hoggard says officials are working with industry, sector groups, and councils to finalise improvements through updated regulations, while Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the Government is recognising existing industry programmes that achieve equivalent environmental outcomes and that farmers shouldn’t have to complete multiple plans.
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
Federated Farmers say Environment Canterbury's decision to declare a 'nitrate emergency' is a shameless political stunt that won't help anyone.
Farmers want the Government to scrap controversial freshwater rules that "put river spirits and ideology ahead of practical water use", says Federated Farmers board member Mark Hooper.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
