Priorities for the new Government
The new Government wants to make fast progress in its first 100 days on key commitments made during campaigning. We’ve stepped up to make sure they’re clear about our sector’s priorities. Leaders of Federated Farmers, Beef + Lamb NZ and DairyNZ are meeting regularly to discuss strategy and priorities to avoid duplication of effort and present a united front to decision makers. Earlier this week we agreed our five key advocacy priorities over the next three months. These five priorities are all included in the coalition agreements agreed by National, ACT and NZ First. These aren’t the only five areas of importance to farmers, but they are key areas we want to see immediate progress on from the incoming Government.
Priority 1 from us – repeal and replace the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM). This policy statement is a direction from David Parker to Regional Councils to set rules on farmers to meet new national bottom lines for freshwater and give effect to ‘Te Mana O Te Wai’.
A recent report has shown the new standards are unachievable even in areas of native forest or National
Park. Plans developed so far need to implement draconian rules in order to come anywhere near the new standards. For example Northland has released a draft plan that places restrictions on farming on land over 25 degrees – around 40% of the agricultural land in Northland. Priority 2 is establishing the Rural Regulation Review Panel. We want to see this up and running and working on cutting red tape and regulatory blocks for irrigation, water storage, managed aquifer recharge, flood protection and simply the dayto-day running of our farms. Priority 3 is to start the review of the unscientific methane targets. These are the targets that don’t recognise methane as a short lived gas and, if achieved, could require a 20% reduction in sheep and beef production.
Priority 4 is to cease implementation of Significant Natural Areas, and Priority 5 is to repeal the last Government’s two resource management acts and start work on replacement legislation. A new RMA will take time to develop so it is important work starts on this right away.
The new Government has made a range of very useful commitments. We aim to hold them to their agenda and keep them in touch with our united views on key issues.