Health and safety tops Feds’ concerns

He and a Feds team have been out in the provinces talking to members as part of a ‘refresh’ of the federation. 

Smith says health and safety is a huge issue now, coming at a time when Feds is trying to work with WorkSafe New Zealand to find practical solutions to safety on farms.

His views are echoed by the federation’s vice president, Anders Crofoot, also on the roadshow.

“I have gone around to Feds annual meetings and found health and safety is always right up there on the list,” he told Rural News. “Either they have had guest speakers talking about it or it’s being raised during general discussions. Everyone is keen on making farms safer workplaces and no one faults that. 

“The issue is how should a bureaucratic system that seems to be aimed at ‘ticking’ going to achieve a good outcome. I’ve heard it said that farmers are interested in outcomes, that they’re not so concerned about process, whereas WorkSafe seems to be really hung up on the process and that’s probably not going to produce the outcomes they’re hoping for.” 

Crofoot says the flashpoint is obviously quad safety and WorkSafe’s view that no passengers should be carried on these vehicles. But he says NZ farmers don’t believe that US manufacturers’ guidelines – designed for Americans using quads as recreational vehicles – should apply in NZ. He says the least risky way of taking a fertiliser rep or bank manager around a farm is as a passenger on a quad driven by an experienced rider. 

Crofoot also has concerns about WorkSafe’s approach to dealing with visitors on farms, such as hunters. He says the paperwork required is a turnoff for farmers. 

“If they try to clutter the system with too much record keeping – even simple record keeping – this will annoy farmers who in the end will find it easier to say ‘no’ than do the paperwork,” he says.

Re-engaging with the provinces

Federated Farmers plans to employ a fulltime person to strengthen its dialogue and communication with its members in the provinces.

Feds chief executive Graham Smith says as a result of their roadshow around the country – where they were seeking ways to improve services to members – a major concern voiced was the need for better engagement with the regions.

“We had a lot of feedback from provincial presidents saying they’d like to have someone who lives and breathes what they do,” Smith told Rural News. “As a result of this feedback, we’re creating a new role and recruiting for it now.” 

Smith says the new role – ‘general manager of provincial engagement’ – will help build Feds’ capacity to meet the changing demands being put on farmers.  Also as part of the ‘refresh’, Feds plans to set up national water and science teams. 

As well as recruiting an extra staff member Feds will refocus staff in specific areas.

Farmers have pointed out that the federation, with its membership of 14,000, could do more given its strong representation in the provinces and a reputation for good engagement with politicians and industry leaders. 

“There are big issues in the primary sector, now and in the future.  We could help shape the thinking for forming coalitions and help find solutions to some of the issues – water, health and safety and new technology.” 

Smith says as a result of this feedback, the federation will direct much of its efforts towards environment, health and safety and science and innovation.