2014’s hangover could be 2015’s gain

 We are in our sixth year of the Land and Water Forum and 2014 saw the pinnacle of water reform. The forum is a result of the government reform by developing a shared vision and a common way forward among all those with an interest in water. This is done through a stakeholder-led collaborative process, which is modelled off in the regions.

Ultimately it’s about using water responsibly and efficiently.

Farmers have the best chance of success here if we work together. I am confident by the end of 2015 we will be seeing some real progress on lessening the impact farming has on our waterways.

The health and safety hangover will be weighing heavily on many farmers’ minds this January. Unlike the slow burn of resolving the water issues, WorkSafe came in hot and heavy in 2014 and has left heads pounding. Unfortunately here, the collaborative process has yet to take off, but sometimes you need to let people throw their weight around before they’re ready to sit at the table and sort it out. 

Consultation can come at the beginning or the end, but at some point we need to talk to each other and take a better approach than the heavy handed and disjointed one we have now.

Farmers are rightly concerned about how much the local and national government is choosing to solve problems with more rules. It’s a Band-Aid rather than a long term fix.  Health and safety is no doubt going to be the kicker for 2015, but the Resource Management Act is not far behind.

Last year’s sentencing of Hold the Gold Ltd and it’s director Bas Nelis had not just Waikato farmers in an uproar but the vast majority of the community, with echoed sentiments from throughout the country.  An example of the absurdity of parts of the RMA that allow environmental stewards, trying to do the right thing, to get tangled up in red tape and punished for their trouble.

A 2014 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report highlighted real problems in our system of environmental regulation, pointing out that high environmental standards don’t have to mean high administrative costs. Thankfully Nick Smith announced there is to be a Resource Management Reform Bill which will be reported back by local government and environment select committee this June. It’s about time we had a good cleanse or detox if you will.

Finally, 2015 will see some pretty relieved farmers who are set to be compensated by banks for their investment in swaps under misleading information. An important lesson to learn for 2015, you cannot always trust the integrity of your banker but you can bank trust in the relationship. Knowing if the relationship has long term value for both parties can help you take better educated risks than going it alone.

So take what you want from 2014, but know we’ve laid the groundwork to make 2015 count.

• Chris Lewis is Federated Farmers Waikato provincial president