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Federated Farmers is signalling broad support for the Government’s proposed direction.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
And from submissions received from the main players – DairyNZ, Federated Farmers and Beef + Lamb NZ – the proposals are getting qualified support from farmers.
However, the devil is always in the detail. While proposals like updates to Te Mana o te Wai, simpler wetland rules, a review of nitrogen limits, and more flexible ways to set freshwater objectives could reduce red tape, farmers are hoping that for rules that are practical and workable on farm.
DairyNZ is advocating for change that reflects on-farm realities and builds confidence for the future. DairyNZ has spent the past year preparing to provide a workable replacement to the existing policy. It says its team has developed an alternative freshwater framework to support a constructive, science-led response.
Federated Farmers is signalling broad support for the Government’s proposed direction. It says New Zealand’s freshwater rules have become too complex and are completely unworkable - a nightmare not just for farmers, but also for local councils tasked with the unenviable job of trying to untangle a bureaucratic bird’s nest of rules - and implement them.
“Rules like the fertiliser cap, wetland definitions and the application of Te Mana o te Wai should be on the chopping block for repeal or major amendment.”
Beef + Lamb NZ says a community-driven, targeted, and risk-based approach is crucial to balance the economic viability of farming businesses with environmental sustainability.
It’s critical the Government get these proposals right – farmers desperately need robust, inexpensive and uncomplicated frameworks for freshwater and the wider environment that deliver enduring, but also reasonable and affordable, outcomes.
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.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
The dairy sector is in a relatively stable position, with strong milk price payout forecasts continuing to offset ongoing high farm costs, according to DairyNZ.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says history shows that when New Zealand needs an economic lift, dairy delivers.
Independent Waikato milk processor Tatua has set another new record for farmgate milk price paid to New Zealand farmers.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
An early adopter of a 10-in-7 variable milking regime, the Lincoln University Demonstration Dairy Farm (LUDF) is tweaking the system this season in search of further boosting farm performance and profitability.
The dairy sector is in a relatively stable position, with strong milk price payout forecasts continuing to offset ongoing high farm costs, according to DairyNZ.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
Fonterra has delivered a fifth straight year of record organic milk price for farmer suppliers.
OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first…
