increase font size
Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick.
Claims that some Southland farmers were invoiced up to $4000 for winter grazing compliance checks despite not breaching rules are being rejected by Environment Southland.
Last week, Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick stated that while farmers understand the need for good environmental practices and compliance, but "being invoiced for a visit where there are no breaches or problems is incredibly frustrating".
"One farmer I spoke to was charged for nine hours of staff time for a compliance visit where everything was fine. It's absolutely ridiculous."
However, Environment Southland hit back saying Herrick's comments were inaccurate.
Compliance manager Donna Ferguson says cost recovery invoices are only issued to farmers where there has been a confirmed breach of a rule.
"We undertake cost recovery so that ratepayers do not pay for the cost of investigating and undertaking enforcement action where non-compliance occurs."
This year, 75 incidents had been logged, of which 49 have been fully investigated by warranted compliance officers.
Of the completed investigations, 28 farmers were contacted and advised that no further action or cost recovery was required as they were found to comply with the rules.
Another 21 incidents have been have been investigated where non-compliances were confirmed. Outcomes have ranged from advisory letters to more formal enforcement. The remaining 26 incidents were still under investigation.
"The winter grazing period runs from 1 May to 30 September and each year, we carry out three aerial surveys between June and August as well as responding to reported incidents and monitoring consent conditions," says Ferguson.
But Herrick told Dairy News that "what Environment Southland are saying in their media release simply doesn't align with the reality on the ground".
"I've spoken with farmers in Southland who have been visited by the council following a flyover.
"No major issues were found during the inspection, only misunderstanding around the rules, particularly around buffers and critical source areas - and then they get a huge bill in the mail six weeks later for cost recovery. I've seen the invoices."
Federated Farmers now wants Environment Southland taking more of an educational approach to winter grazing compliance.
"I've heard from farmers in other regions like Otago, where councils are managing compliance from a very different mindset," says Herrick.
"They've taken more of an educational approach, helping farmers understand what their obligations are and supporting them to lift their standard where needed.
"I think Environment Southland should follow suit. That would help them build more trust with farmers down here, and quite possibly achieve even better compliance."
But Ferguson says Environment Southland's approach to assessing winter grazing compliance is education-first.
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
Federated Farmers is renewing its call for Greenpeace to be stripped of its charitable status immediately, following the activist group's latest publicity stunt.
Federated Farmers is arguing for controversial environmentalist group Greenpeace to be stripped of its charitable status.
Winter grazing is looming again and the Ministry for Primary Industries says it's going to increase proactive farm visits and provide practical advice for farmers in the lead up to the season.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
OPINION: Microplastics are turning up just about everywhere in the global food supply, including in fish, cups of tea, and…
OPINION: At a time when dairy prices are at record highs, no one was expecting the world's second largest dairy…
