increase font size
FEDERATED FARMERS Southland is demanding Environment Southland defer implementation of new rules making dairy grazing a discretionary activity.
ES previously said it will enact tomorrow (December 14) the rules in draft form, then consult with key stakeholders in the farming community, including a submission process, until the end of March.
At a special meeting on Friday, Feds Southland passed the following motion.
“That Federated Farmers Southland demands that Environment Southland defers the Transitional Region-wide Policy & Rule planned for adoption on 14th December 2011 and any other rules that can affect the future of farming and the economy of Southland until a full and proper consultation and submission process is held with affected parties.”
Today the Federation’s regional vice-president, Russell McPherson, said deferring would keep farmers on side.
“The thing is that farmers like me don’t just farm in Southland, we live here and so do our kids. We’ve got as much stake in the environment and the future as anybody else. I know we’ve bumped heads with Environment Southland but we’re willing to put that behind us to go forward.
“All we now need is a sign from Environment Southland that they’re willing to do the same. That sign would be for the council to defer transitional region-wide policies and rules instead of adopting them on Wednesday.
“Any delay to adoption will help test the robustness of what’s being proposed. Consulting before adoption is not only democratic but it will help avoid problems thrown up when acting under urgency, whether that’s in Parliament or a council.
“I don’t think putting these policies and rules out for public consultation before adoption is being unreasonable. Getting everyone’s buy-in is the secret to good public policy after all.
“We’ve also got our members to a point where they’re saying, ‘if that’s what the community wants after having all the facts, we’ll play ball’. If the policy is imposed on Wednesday instead, it really risks the attitude hardening to one of, ‘stuff the council’.
“The biggest risk Environment Southland faces, is burning off any willingness of farmers to engage. All farmers want is for a consultation process to run its proper course.
“We’re pleading with Environment Southland to bring the community into this discussion before it adopts the rules. Some cooler councillor heads need to prevail [tomorrow] because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing.”
Environment Southland told Rural News councillors will consider the rule at a meeting tomorrow and make a decision then as to whether it is deferred or adopted.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
In Dacre, near Invercargill in New Zealand’s South Island, Bruce Dinnington is running a dairy operation unlike any other.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Entries opened on Monday, 5 October 2026 for the 2027 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA), which organisers describe as the nation's biggest celebration of excellence in the dairy sector.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
