Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Farmers claim water law lockout

Neal Wallace
Federated Farmers says it remains shut out of deliberations on the specifics of the Government’s freshwater legislation after unproved claims it leaked confidential information about the policy last year. Its water spokesman Chris Allen says the accusation was never proved but resulted in the cessation of what he called a constructive working relationship between the farming body and parties considering the new regulations.
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“It really did challenge the integrity of Federated Farmers and we were miffed about that. It did not come from feds,” he says.

In written responses to questions from Farmers Weekly, Environment Minister David Parker says details about progressing the next stage of new freshwater legislation will be known by September’s election but it remains unclear what or when legislation will go before Parliament.

“Final proposals are being shaped for Cabinet to consider.”

The legislative process has been pushed to one side by the covid-19 pandemic, 

Parker says public consultation has been completed, advice received from advisory groups and changes made to the original proposals following submissions, the impact assessment report and in response to covid-19.

“The next steps will be announced once Cabinet has considered the proposals. This will be before the election,” he says.

Parker says officials have in the last few months worked with advisory groups and done targeted engagement including the primary sector.

But Allen says any discussion with the primary sector was not about the substance of the proposed freshwater legislation.

“Yes, discussion is going on and there has been discussion with the primary sector, which is much more about the delivery than the blanket regulations.

“We don’t know what’s gone to the minister, we don’t know what is in the summary of submissions from the industry hearing panel, we don’t know what the document says.”

Allen says the federation’s contribution has been about developing an integrated farm planning process to simplify the auditing of farm plans.

The Government’s consultation focus has been with the Freshwater Leaders Forum, the Science Advisory Group and Kahui Wai Maori, he says.

Even if regulations are delayed farmers still need some certainty about the regulations they face but regardless, farmers will continue their own initiatives to improve water quality.

Freshwater Leaders Forum chairman John Penno agrees people need certainty and says while the legislative progress appears to have stalled at Cabinet he hopes it will continue.

“From my personal point of view I’d like to see it carry on.

“For farmers not having any decision brings uncertainty, which is hopeless for everybody, so we shouldn’t kick it down the road.”

Penno says continuing with the reforms acknowledges those farmers improving water quality but also builds trust with the community and the international buyers of our food, fibre and beverage.

“It enforces the need to continue the sensible locking in of improvements to the climate, water, environment and animal welfare – things that underpin our reputation and the position we hold.

“It is an opportunity for us to show why in the future everyone will want to work with NZ, that we will be the place they will want to get their food and fibre from.”

Penno says the impact of the global recession on the economy and on individuals needs to be acknowledged in any regulations.

The forum says new legislation must be outcomes-based and backed by scientific evidence.

Parker says the 17,500 submissions received on the freshwater proposals was a record for the Ministry for the Environment.

He could not give a time for the release of the summary of submissions, individual submissions, Cabinet papers, reports from the independent advisory panel and advisory group, impact assessment and economic analysis but says they will be made available on the ministry’s website.

Local Government NZ regional sector chairman Doug Leeder says regional councils are waiting for an update from the Government on what impact covid-19 will have on implementing freshwater legislation.

He fears existing concerns about the cost of the implementing the policy will only have heightened given the economic hit the country is taking. 

The impact of covid-19 has redirected council staff and resources.

“Every council is rapidly reviewing their annual plans and re-evaluating their 2021-24 long term plans, particularly as a result of expected reductions in investment income, cost-recovered income and pressure on rates.”

Leader says there are elements of the policy that councils like.

“We particularly support the proposed national environmental standard regulations as these will deliver significant improvements to our freshwater quality and delivering a national level will lower transaction costs for regional councils as the environmental regulators.”

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