Farmers demand simpler freshwater rules
Farmers are urging the Government to simplify freshwater farm plans and make the whole process simpler and more affordable for them.
Irrigation New Zealand welcomes the Government's 'Next steps for fresh water' consultation document but encourages the Government to 'get on with it.'
CEO Andrew Curtis says Irrigation NZ was hoping for more immediate action from central government, particularly around water infrastructure and transfer.
"In the third and fourth reports the benefits of water infrastructure and transfer are clearly recognised, and the immediate need is backed up by recent South Island droughts," he says.
"Freshwater is a natural and recurring resource we need to protect. It needs to be properly and carefully managed to bolster our agricultural-led economy."
Irrigation NZ changes to the water transfer system that allow for more dynamic use of the allocable volume are a key.
Also, for the development of modern multi-purpose infrastructure, the initial regional scoping stage needs to be viewed as a public good - allowing communities to objectively work through their options.
"There's a number of economic growth studies being undertaken in the regions, including Northland, Bay of Plenty and the Manawatu," says Curtis
"All identify the potential of water, but a lack of resourcing results in the subsequent regional scoping stage being stalled or under-done.
"If we're serious about economic development in the provinces this scoping phase needs greater resourcing and in a timely manner. Once a potential project is identified this is when the public-private approach should kick in."
Curtis says there were a number of positives in the document: "Stock exclusion regulations are long overdue – they provide an easy fix for a number of water quality issues in New Zealand.
"Broadening the scope of the $100 million Freshwater Improvement Fund to include environmental infrastructure makes sense as win-win environmental-economic solutions are key to a sustainable future for all New Zealanders.
"The focus upon implementation of Good Management Practice and clearly defining technical efficiency expectations is also welcome. The future needs to be about ever improving practices and actions on the ground, that's how you create outcomes.
"Irrigation New Zealand has spent the past 10 years developing minimum expectations for irrigation performance, these are written into a series of industry codes of practice and standards that are supported by knowledge resources and training.
"In the past three years, over 1000 irrigators have attended irrigation management training days.
"There's a number of examples of how both irrigators and irrigation schemes are achieving SMART Irrigation – Good Management Practice – on the SMART Irrigation website: http://smartirrigation.co.nz/
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.
Listed Canterbury milk processor Synlait’s shares have been placed in a trading halt.
OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.
OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…
OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…