RMA amendments 'will be a relief to farmers'
The Government’s announcement that a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) could be introduced in Parliament next month will be a relief to farmers, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).
Sheepmeat and beef producers, including dairy farmers through their cull cows, will have the chance to continue funding activities and programmes for the next six years when voting opens on 8 August.
B+LNZ chair, James Parsons says the Commodity Levies Act requires farmers to vote to continue new levy orders every six years and a ‘yes’ vote will enable B+LNZ’s activities to carry on. A 'no' vote would mean a winding down of the organisation and an end to all programmes.
B+LNZ launched the referendum campaign at their farmer council annual conference in Wellington on August 3. The conference brought together 100 farmers who make up the seven farmer councils nationwide that provide grassroots input to the organisation.
The proposed levy rates from 2016 to 2017 are to remain unchanged at 60 cents per sheep and $4.40 per cattle beast, says Parsons. Under the Act, a maximum levy must also be set for the six-year levy cycle. For sheep this will be set at 75 cents per head and beef $5.50 per head.
Parsons adds that if farmers wanted more investment in certain areas, then the maximum levy provides some flexibility within the next six years. However there would need to be very strong farmer support for any adjustment from the current levies beyond 2017.
“We’re proposing a programme that will continue the momentum of the past six years, carrying on activities that farmers have told us are important,” says Parsons.
“For example 17,269 people attended 356 farmer events last year to learn something new to take back to their farming business, so we’ll be building on that. 130 Beef + Lamb New Zealand project farm sites tested and trialled techniques and tools to improve profitability or save money and that is another investment farmers benefited from.”
Parsons says the organisation’s activities alongside government achieved tariff savings of $161 million in 2014, that along with their support for young people seeking a career in the sector have both been important aspects of B+LNZ’s work.
“Farmers have also told us they want their organisation to have a stronger voice with government and policy makers in the areas of health and safety, the environment, and on other regulatory issues which impact their farming business. They want to see sensible and workable rules and regulations and we will be doing more work in these areas over the next six years, alongside others in the sector.”
“Farmers created B+LNZ to look after their interests and have their backs – so they could focus on their farming businesses,” he says.
Parsons encourages farmers across the country to have their say and attend one of the 53 regional roadshow meetings being held throughout New Zealand from12 to 28 August.
Voting opens on 8 August 2015 and closes on 10 September 2015 at 5pm.
Farmers must be enrolled to receive voting packs. They can check their enrolment status by calling 0800 BEEFLAMB (0800 233 352) or registering online at beeflambnz.com/register.
The 2015 Sheepmeat and Beef Levy Referendum proposal can be viewed at beeflambnz.com/referendum.
