“While we’re still working through the detail the high-level policy decisions indicate the Government has heeded some of the rural sector’s concerns.
“But the proposals still have some sharp edges that will bite our farmers and rural communities at a time when we need it least.
“What farmer groups seek now is the opportunity for input to ensure the final regulations and National Policy Statement match the intent of the policies.
“If the regulations are shown to be flawed or impractical the Government needs to be open to changing them,” Allen said.
The package delivered a pleasant surprise for Mt Somers Station farmer David Acland.
“It’s not as terrifying as I thought it was going to be. It’s far more positive than I expected.”
And credit must go to farmers for getting involved.
“The key for me is farmers engaged and submitted. This galvanised farmers to get more involved in the policy space and the Government has listened.
“It’s been good to see recognition of the submissions farmers put in.
“There has been some good stuff come of this and they have managed to alter what farmers identified as impracticable.”
Acland cites the major touch points as fencing setbacks and winter grazing.
The 10% slope threshold for cropping and fencing of natural waterways and wetlands remains the big issue for high-country farmers.
“What we have seen is a very broad summary and it’s pleasing to see the Government has taken on board the concerns from all parties.
“How the definitions and interpretations are rolled out, especially around waterways and wetlands, is the critical question now.
“It will be important for farmers to keep proving we can do it and to have good plans in place of what we are doing to mitigate environmental impact, especially of winter grazing livestock,” Acland said.
The sheep and beef sector is cautiously positive.
“We need to see the detail of the actual regulations as some concerns still remain,” Beef + Lamb chief executive Sam McIvor said.
While the proposals appear to be an improvement on earlier plans the Government has released only a high-level summary of its proposals and there remain areas of concern for the sheep and beef sector that need to be clarified, McIvor said.
“We’re pleased the Government has removed its prescriptive farm environment module and the most concerning grandparenting provisions that would have locked in NZ’s lightest environmental-touch farmers to existing farm systems without the flexibility to respond to changing climatic and market conditions.”
Dairy industry feedback has resulted in significant change to the freshwater package but there is still a sting in the tail, DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said.
Over the past eight months DairyNZ has advocated for an evidence-based and pragmatic approach to freshwater regulation.
“Looking at where the policy has landed it appears the Government has taken a better approach in terms of scientific rigour and practicality for farmers on the ground.”
But Mackle said though farmers will have a generation to implement the changes, the regulatory settings they see now will influence their confidence to invest for the future.
The parking of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) measure and the removal of the impractical and expensive requirement for farmers to move existing fences to meet new stock exclusion guidelines are two issues that will provide farmers some reassurance.
The evidence for DIN was never robust enough to justify the level of intervention and disruption needed to meet the standard, Mackle said.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman said the package is good news.
“With the proposed restrictions on horticulture now removed the industry will be allowed to expand and enable the primary sector to diversify, as long as environmental bottom lines are met through audited farm environment plans.
“All we ask is that this expertise is recognised and its application is supported by central as well as local government,” Chapman said.
