Friday, 05 April 2024 11:29

DairyNZ relays regulatory concerns to the Beehive

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker. DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker.

DairyNZ board and leadership team were in Wellington late last month to relay what farmers see as priority areas for easing the regulatory burden on dairy farming.

In an email message to levy payers, DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker says the meeting was a good opportunity to follow up on their pre-election advice to policymakers, their briefings to incoming ministers, and to answer any questions they had for the sector.

Parker notes that key announcements in the Government’s action plan released this week follow those discussions.

H says importantly for dairy farmers, these four areas are being considered over the next quarter are:

  • Introduce legislation to amend the RMA to clarify application of the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPS-FM), in relation to individual consents for freshwater.
  • Introduce legislation to suspend the requirement on councils to identify and adopt new significant natural areas.
  • Finalise policy to keep agriculture out of the ETS.
  • Commence an independent review of the methane science and targets for consistency with no additional warming from agricultural methane emissions.

“We continue to advocate for simplified processes for Fresh Water Farm Plans, including recognition of existing industry plans delivered in partnership with dairy Companies to reduce complexity, cost, and duplication.

 “The Government is in the early stages of outlining the scope for how it will address these areas. Our scientists and policy advisors will be actively ensuring the dairy sector’s evidence-based research leads to practical solutions that work on-farm.

 “Other areas we flagged as being critical are being progressed by Government and include a review of rural regulations, and enhanced biosecurity. New technologies and workforce development are also areas we are advocating on behalf of farmers.”

More like this

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.

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.

Musical chairs

OPINION: DairyNZ's director elections has seen scientist Jacqueline Rowarth re-elected for another three-year term.

Featured

Massey Research Field Day attracts huge interest

More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.

Boost for hort exports

The horticulture sector is a big winner from recent free trade deals sealed with the Gulf states, says Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg.

National

Winter grazing warning

Every time people from overseas see photographs of cows up to their hocks in mud it's bad for New Zealand.

ANZ defends farm lending rates

The country's largest lender to the agriculture sector says it's not favouring home loans over farm and business lending.

Machinery & Products

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo…

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Review SOEs!

OPINION: NIWA has long weathered complaints about alleged stifling of competition in forecasting, and more recently, claims of lack of…

Bank reset

OPINION: Adding to calls to get banks to 'back off', NZ Agri Brokers director Andrew Laming has revealed that the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter