Editorial: Testing times
OPINION: Our hearts go out to the farmers and rural communities in Southland and Otago who are battling an onslaught of adverse weather.
The Government is facing calls to pass temporary legislation along similar lines to that provided to farmers following the Hurunui/Kaikōura earthquakes.
Environment Minister David Parker told Rural News that there are already emergency provisions under the RMA.
“After the Kaikōura earthquake, Parliament passed a temporary emergency relief Act,” says Parker. “I am sure that if similar or other measures are necessary after Cyclone Gabrielle, we will make those changes.”
Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard says that while the RMA provides some relief from normal requirements during and immediately following emergencies/adverse events, this will not cover all the urgent work that needs to be undertaken to restore farmers’ and growers’ operations.
“That legislation in the wake of the earthquakes was very helpful,” he says.
Hoggard notes that given the severity of the impact of the cyclones - with devastation to the land that appears to exceed that of the Christchurch earthquakes - the usual time-consuming RMA processes will impede progress.
ACT agriculture spokesperson Mark Cameron says there are so many issues that are front of mind for people affected in rural areas.
“I have heard from countless farmers who have told me they just want to get on with sorting their properties out but are held back by red tape,” he says.
He says they have enough on their plate and should be able to deal with cyclone impacts with as little red tape and bureaucratic interference as possible.
“The impact of sedimentation, slash and debris is a huge problem for farmers and growers to contend with. There needs to be flexibility for dealing with the mess,” he told Rural News.
“Store lambs can’t get to slaughter because of damaged bridges and roads, people are cut off from getting feed for their animals and veterinarian supplies.
Cameron says the Government should just step aside and let people get on with cleaning up.
“Having to apply for a resource consent to move tonnes of sediment that has washed up onto your orchard or farm or dispose of tonnes of destroyed fruit or crops is unnecessary and the last thing people should have to do.”
