I am not one to tolerate a police state, so I commend the Waikato Regional Council’s decision to cease helicopter surveillance of farms for monitoring and enforcement purposes, pending a review.
Orson Wells, in the film 1984, cleverly encapsulates the feelings Waikato farmers endure in being constantly monitored by helicopter: ‘Big brother is watching you’. Whilst the intention of helicopter surveillance is understandable the method leaves much to be desired.
Farmers have a great working relationship with the council and there is already a great deal of collaborative and independent work going on, both sides of the fence.
So whilst the helicopter monitoring may be more effective, it is detrimental to the positive and voluntary work already being done. No one likes to work with someone breathing over their shoulder and this is no different.
Farmers are already working hard and under an enormous pressure in meeting the new requirements, so I’m thankful the council has taken off this added pressure, a testament to the council’s constructive approach in working with the community to improve the environment. Whilst monitoring and compliance checks are a part of this, the eye in the sky does little for the bank of goodwill and readiness to work together. Why not instead use satellite imaging technology?
On-farm visits and check-ups are important in making sure farmers are complying, but the big-brother approach fails in respect of the ‘big picture’.
The council is also reviewing the way it enforces effluent compliance. I would like to see an accredited system so it’s not ad hoc – a system that has clear timeframes, guidelines and rules to follow.
There is no room for grey for farmers spending money on upgrades. We need assurance that the system and standards to be followed will be the same system and standards to be used down the line. We don’t want to shirk our responsibilities, we just want clear rules with no room for interpretation.
We need a Waikato strategy inclusive of all stakeholders so we can address these issues. We are all in this together, no one or their needs is more important than the other, and we all need to be present and heard.
Federated Farmers Waikato suggests forming a working party with the council to update the current rules so there is better clarity and definitions.
• Chris Lewis is Federated Farmers Waikato provincial president.
