Farmers back government’s RMA reforms

Yesterday, the government opened public consultation on options to reform the country's freshwater rules and policies under the RMA.

Three discussion documents have been released proposing amendments to 12 different instruments and the introduction of four new instruments, centred on three packages - infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater.

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the announcement is a key step toward restoring balance in how freshwater is managed across New Zealand and ensuring the interests of all water users are reflected.

"Regional councils must work within national direction that is fit for purpose, not pursue agendas that undermine local economies or the people who rely on the land," McClay says.

The consultation proposes replacing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 and related regulations with a more practical, efficient, and regionally adaptable system.

"Farmers aren’t asking for a free pass – they’re asking for a fair go,” says McClay.

The move has been welcomed by industry bodies, including Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

Kate Acland, chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, says her organisation is pleased freshwater management is being looked at because it is currently complex, often impractical and focused on unachievable numeric limits as opposed to the health of ecosystems.

“We agree that risk-based freshwater farm plans should take the place of consents and regional rules rather than just be in addition to them. B+LNZ is currently working with famers and the Government to ensure freshwater farm plans are fit for purpose and enduring," Acland says.

“However, it’s vital we get how we manage this right. The farming sector and rural communities desperately need robust, inexpensive and uncomplicated frameworks for freshwater and the environment that deliver more reasonable, affordable and enduring outcomes.”

Meanwhile, Federated Farmers freshwater spokesperson Colin Hurst says the previous Government's freshwater rules were unworkable for farmers.

"In some cases, even if you converted a whole catchment to native forest, you still wouldn’t have achieved the bottom lines," Hurst says.

"The current Government simply had to push pause on these rules - and now we’re seeing steps towards more sensible national direction to local authorities."

However, the move has not been backed by environmentalists.

Forest & Bird claims the changes would weaken protections for freshwater, coastal areas, wetlands and native species while putting nature at increased risk to things like water pollution.

Richard Capie, Forest & Bird group manager, conservation advocacy and policy, says the announcement marks another blow to environmental protections.

"It feels like a century of evidence about how much we rely on the environment and how degraded it is becoming, has just drifted past this Government," Capie says.

“Without a healthy, well-functioning natural environment, our homes, towns, farms, and infrastructure are at risk in the face of a changing climate," he says.