RMA reform proposals could boost horticulture and vegetable growing sector

According to the Minister for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, the RMA as it stands embeds a culture of 'no' and says this must change to a 'yes'. He adds the planning system is broken and is a handbrake on economic growth and the cause of many challenges across the economy.

Proposed changes include changes to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater (NPS-FM), with local councils given greater flexibility to balance environmental goals with economic impacts. It would also see the removal of unnecessary consents for practices such as crop rotation and enable commercial domestic vegetable growing and support long-term water security by enabling water storage. It may also spell the end of the controversial concept of Te Mana o Te Wai.

HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott says the Government's policy will support New Zealanders' access to locally grown fresh produce. She says it would offer some relief for commercial vegetable growers who have been living with uncertainty and unworkable rules and allow them to continue providing the healthy food we need.

"The Government's proposed changes to freshwater rules would provide for crop rotation and signals a future without resource consents for commercial vegetable growing. This will give growers confidence for the future," she says.

Scott says the proposal to remove regulatory blocks for creating water storage is good news.

"The Government has listened to growers' concerns and these proposals will help ensure that growing food in the right places remains possible - without compromising environmental outcomes," she says.

Beef + Lamb NZ says it's pleased with some of the proposals saying some are hugely problematic for sheep and beef farmers. Chair Kate Acland says they have been calling for changes, particularly in the freshwater regulations, for some time.

She says they are pleased that the NPS for FM is being looked at because it is currently complex, often impractical and focused on unachievable numeric limits rather than the health of ecosystems.

"B+LNZ is analysing the options in the consultation materials and will provide further information to farmers on the consultation, including opportunities for input over the next few weeks," she says.

DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says the current rules are impractical and unworkable, and welcome the commitment towards a more balanced and inclusive approach. She says the rules should be focused on delivering on outcomes, not just input controls, and aimed at specific ecosystem and human health outcomes, not just numerical targets, to best deliver on catchment objectives.