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OPINION: For thousands of Southland farmers, this week would have tipped them into the non-compliant category when it comes to following regional freshwater plan rules. But the Government has stepped in to give them the clarity they deserve.
The Southland Water and Land Plan (Regional Plan) currently requires farmers to prepare and submit a farm plan by 27 May 2026, before improvements to the national freshwater farm plan system are finalised.
Cabinet has agreed Southland farmers and growers will now have until the end of November 2027 to submit their farm plan and benefit from the updated system.
Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard points out that Southland farmers were staring down a May 2026 deadline to submit farm plans under the current regional system.
That would have meant wasting time and money on a whole lot of complex paperwork that simply won’t be needed under our updated national rules.
Hoggard defines this as pointless bureaucracy. But the Government announcement means farmers won’t spend time and money complying with old rules when better ones are on the way.
As part of its review of freshwater rules and their impact on farming, the Government is introducing a slimmed-down system that strips back the most frustrating parts, like overly bureaucratic land blocking and mapping.
The Government must be commended for extending the timeframe for Southland farmers to submit freshwater farm plans.
This sensible decision will ensure what Southlanders need to do is aligned with the requirements for farmers in other regions as the new system comes into effect – giving them confidence to continue to produce highquality food and fibre.
Burdensome regulations should not be holding back our farmers and growers.
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