Building trust
OPINION: The war of words between Southland farmers and Environment Southland over winter grazing inspections reflects a deep lack of trust among farmers for the regional council.
However, Environment Southland’s message to farmers is: start pulling together the information for farm plans now.
So, what should farmers do? Stop work on their respective farm plans or carry on as urged by ES?
This confusion isn’t helping the farming sector. The Government must move quickly with changes to the Resource Management Act that will put a stop to councils like ES working on freshwater farm plans, already a requirement in the Southland Water and Land Plan.
Everyone agrees that we need a farm plan system that is practical and cost-effective and based on specific farm conditions. So, why the confusion?
