DairyNZ relays regulatory concerns to the Beehive

DairyNZ board and leadership team were in Wellington late last month to relay what farmers see as priority areas for easing the regulatory burden on dairy farming.

In an email message to levy payers, DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker says the meeting was a good opportunity to follow up on their pre-election advice to policymakers, their briefings to incoming ministers, and to answer any questions they had for the sector.

Parker notes that key announcements in the Government’s action plan released this week follow those discussions.

H says importantly for dairy farmers, these four areas are being considered over the next quarter are:

Introduce legislation to amend the RMA to clarify application of the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPS-FM), in relation to individual consents for freshwater.
Introduce legislation to suspend the requirement on councils to identify and adopt new significant natural areas.
Finalise policy to keep agriculture out of the ETS.
Commence an independent review of the methane science and targets for consistency with no additional warming from agricultural methane emissions.

“We continue to advocate for simplified processes for Fresh Water Farm Plans, including recognition of existing industry plans delivered in partnership with dairy Companies to reduce complexity, cost, and duplication.

 “The Government is in the early stages of outlining the scope for how it will address these areas. Our scientists and policy advisors will be actively ensuring the dairy sector’s evidence-based research leads to practical solutions that work on-farm.

 “Other areas we flagged as being critical are being progressed by Government and include a review of rural regulations, and enhanced biosecurity. New technologies and workforce development are also areas we are advocating on behalf of farmers.”