‘No desire’ for winter grazing fight
An environmentalist who campaigned against winter grazing practices in Southland last winter says he has ‘‘no desire’’ to campaign again next winter, but he will if large improvements in the industry are not made.
Angus Robson wrote to Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips and chairman Nicol Horrell last week about winter grazing.
Robson was a member of the Winter Grazing Taskforce, which was set up by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor to address animal welfare concerns associated with the farming practice.
Robson said: ‘‘I am aware that even with the best will it takes longer than a year to change direction on farm systems and economic models, so am prepared to withhold campaigning if large improvements are made even if we have some distance to go in some areas.
‘‘Should there be little progress or active push back on improvements in environmental and animal welfare outcomes I will definitely campaign again, and this time the public is far better informed and undoubtedly less sympathetic to all those whose duty it is to prevent poor outcomes.
He was aware that there were farmers who managed their cropping, land and stock in a way which had far less impact than
‘‘Should there be little progress or active push back on improvements in environmental and animal welfare outcomes I will definitely campaign again.’’ Angus Robson
the worst cases, Robson said.
‘‘If, as is claimed by some in the industry, the problem is confined to a few poor operators then not knowing how to farm to the conditions is not an excuse, as many people are already managing and have clearly indicated they are happy to help those who are struggling to meet requirements and expectations.’’
The Taskforce’s final report, which was released last week, has called for increased surveillance during next year’s winter grazing season.
But Environment Southland compliance manager Simon Mapp said the council was not looking at increasing monitoring staff at this stage.
‘‘Our monitoring will target high risk areas – those with a past history, or at risk of having an effect on a waterway.’’
Mapp said education formed a key part of the overall programme, with pre-grazing and cultivation campaigns focused on encouraging planning and adoption of good management practices.
‘‘The majority of monitoring happens by flying. This has been proven to cover more ground and take less staff time.’’
Any suspected breaches are categorised by risk and result in contact with the farmer or a site visit.
The activity of feeding stock during winter has not required a consent, but the council completes a yearly monitoring programme of permitted activities, which included winter grazing, Mapp said.
The Ministry for Primary Industries said it will use footage from Environment Southland’s monitoring flights to monitor practices next winter.
An MPI spokesperson said inspectors conduct informal monitoring of known areas of potential animal welfare concerns, including intensive winter grazing locations.
‘‘Next winter will be no exception. It will include monitoring of farming locations across the country and a proactive compliance approach will be conducted in the Southland region by utilising the footage obtained from flights by Environment Southland this year.’’
An animal welfare assessment tool will be developed, and training for compliance staff across New Zealand will be delivered prior to winter 2020.
‘‘This training will be delivered by AgResearch scientists with expertise in animal welfare and behavioural indicators of distress and suffering.’’
MPI also received complaints from the community to identify cases of poor animal welfare.
ES chief executive Rob Phillips said the report recommendations were focused on animal welfare and the council supported this.
‘‘We have a winter grazing compliance programme which is focused on the environmental impacts rather than the animal welfare aspects of winter grazing.’’
The council takes enforcement action under the Resource Management Act, and it has a clear process for determining whether it will take enforcement action.
The report from the Taskforce says one area that was preventing progress relates to education, compliance and enforcement.