Wednesday, 20 November 2019 08:55

Government’s proposed water reforms blasted

Written by  David Anderson
TRC says the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach of the water reforms are a major fault. TRC says the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach of the water reforms are a major fault.

The Government’s proposed water reforms have been blasted by a regional council with top performing water quality.

In a stinging review of the reforms, the Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) says it has significant concerns about aspects of specific policies and regulations proposed as part of the Essential Freshwater package. 

TRC joins Federated Farmers, Irrigation NZ, DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, Fonterra and the Meat Industry Association in criticising the proposals.

Key among TRC’s concerns is the ‘one size fits all’ approach of the proposed water reforms.

“Much of the new package would have unpredictable and likely only marginal environmental benefits, but would bring substantial adverse outcomes for community wellbeing,” it said.

“The focus should be on improving trends rather than setting limits. This would allow for natural differences regionally and nationally while halting the decline of water degradation.”

TRC believes regulation should only be used where there is a proven cause and effect and demonstrable benefit where it is applied.

It has joined other critics in lambasting the lack of cost-benefit justification for the policy and regulation changes proposed by the Government.

“The Taranaki community has collectively demonstrated strong commitment to improving freshwater health, taking carefully considered long-term action and spending millions of dollars on measures that have proven to be effective,” TRC said.

It claims the Government’s proposals raise many issues, notably the proposed nutrient limits. 

“The scientific evidence suggests the ecological health of waterways is driven by a range of factors including nutrient levels, flow characteristics and physical habitat. 

“These factors interact differently catchment by catchment, so national limits make little sense.”

It also claims the Government’s proposed nutrient limits would substantially restrict farm output for no clear benefit. 

“This would threaten community wellbeing for uncertain and at best marginal environmental gains,” TRC warned.

It also adds to the growing chorus of concerns about the reliance on Overseer for the water reforms and how this is a role it’s not suitable for. 

“The council shares the view of many experts and authorities – including the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment – that Overseer is unfit for use as a regulatory tool, is highly inaccurate, remains unproven in many landscapes and cannot reflect actual environmental impacts.”

TRC also criticises the proposed national ‘one size fits all’ stock-exclusion rules, saying these would override Taranaki’s proven, successful and much more comprehensive Riparian Management Programme, adding substantial cost for no obvious benefits.

It adds that farm and community viability and wellbeing would be at risk in Taranaki if the reforms were adopted as proposed. 

“Council has found that very adverse impacts on the viability of many farms is likely because of imposed reductions in fertiliser use and soil fertility, and stock numbers, even with a compliance timeframe of ‘a generation’, and on the wellbeing of both rural and urban communities.

“The evidence is clear to the council: the proposed national interventions are neither credible nor necessary for this region.”

More like this

Environment work a 'win-win'

Taranaki farmer Damien Roper says the move towards a more environmentally friendly way of farming has been a win-win.

Taranaki farmer fined over illegal earthworks

The actions of one farmer should not detract from the thousands of landowners who support regional council programmes and work hard to protect and enhance the land, waterways and biodiversity on their properties.

Push to prevent the next pest entering Taranaki

Taranaki Regional Council and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have joined forces to identify the pathways by which new pest plants could enter the region, whether by road, rail, coast or air.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter