Commonsense for rural producers from this National-led coalition government

I am noticing a spring in the step of primary producers lately, and it’s great! There is hope.

At last, this part of New Zealand’s hard-working productive sector is being recognised for the contribution it makes to the economy, and so to the well-being of every New Zealander.

The new National-led Government has promised to deliver we’re working hard to get rid of some onerous legislation in our first 100 days and some of it will be gone by Christmas. National’s Getting Back to Farming package released in April this year made 19 changes to rules and regulations. The changes will help farmers to get ahead with earning the income on which their livelihoods, the kiwi economy, and New Zealanders’ standard of living, depend.

National is committed to this country’s climate change goals – we are fully aware that shutting down the world’s most carbon efficient farmers only send production to less efficient farms overseas and more than likely will raise global emissions.

The reality is good farmers look after their land and look after their animals, so their inherent good practice makes them very aware of caring for their environment. I have yet to meet a farmer who is not conscious of their environmental responsibilities and this new Government is all about using targeted rules with clear environmental limits, so farmers can plan ahead, invest, and work with confidence. Naturally enough, in these first few weeks of a new Parliament, I get asked a lot of questions about the Coalition Government. I can assure you that all three Coalition partners are heading in the same direction on delivering smarter rules for the future, super-charging the rural economy and getting Wellington out of farming. Sometimes, different parties may have different ways of achieving the same end goal, but there is real commitment to move forward in “Getting Back to Farming”.

Much of the feedback I receive is the huge amount of paperwork that farmers continually face. You will be pleased to know that we will introduce a two-for-one rule for the next three years; that is, for every new regulation that either central or local government wants to introduce on the rural sector, they must remove two rules.

Along with doing away with the ute tax and doubling the Recognised Seasonal Employer worker cap over five years to 38,000 the Government will also replace Three Waters with Local Water Done Well which will restore council ownership and control of water assets whilst ensuring that water services are financially sustainable.

Last year agricultural exports totalled $41 billion and were 63 per cent of our exports. At last there is recognition for, and some good commonsense over, rules and regulations for this important productive sector.