Why treaty bill is still relevant
OPINION: Last month marked the beginning of the political year, beginning with Waitangi Day.
Freshwater farm plans will be improved to make them more cost-effective and practical for farmers.
The coalition Government says the current system for creating freshwater farm plans is to costly and complex.
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard says a fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm and catchment.
“Farmers faced an avalanche of regulation under the last Government, including its national Freshwater Farm Plans system.
“Using property and catchment specific farm plans makes sense because they can be used to identify environmental risks and plan practical on-farm actions to manage those risks.
“The current system is too costly and complex, and too broadly applied. We want to make sure that the cost of completing a farm plan, in both time and money, is matched with the level of risk.
“It is important that councils and the community can have confidence in the robustness of the freshwater farm plan system as an alternative to local rules and consents, where and when appropriate.
“We believe that farm plans should be able to highlight the work that many farmers and growers are already doing to reduce the impact of farming activities on the freshwater environment.”
Several regions have already started implementing freshwater farm plans in specific areas, including Waikato, Southland, the West Coast, Otago, and Manawatū-Whanganui.
“We want an enduring system that builds on the good work of farmers in these regions while making sure that any improvements to the system don’t result in sudden changes to plans already being developed,” says Hoggard.
“We are exploring how to make any changes fair for all farmers.
“As part of this, we may look into whether current requirements to complete a freshwater farm plan could be paused while improvements are developed.”
Rural retailer Farmlands has launched a new casual clothing range available across 42 stores nationwide and through its online store.
Federated Farmers says the health and safety changes announced this week by the Government represent the start of overdue reforms.
The Government is calling on rural New Zealanders to share their views on proposed regulations designed to improve the management of farm plastic waste.
For many urban New Zealanders, stepping into Pāmu’s Pinta dairy farm near Taupo last month was the first time they had had the chance to experience farm life up close.
After tasting 240 New Zealand made cheeses, judges have bestowed medals upon 199 of the entries.
Bay of Plenty’s top share farmers Andre and Natalie Meier are no strangers to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards winning circle.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
OPINION: If you believe Maori Party president John Tamihere’s claim that “nothing dodgy” occurred at Manurewa Marae during the last…