25 September 2012

“A step too far” says Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers today confirmed that it has filed an appeal in the High Court regarding the Environment Court decision [2012 NZEnvC182] in Andrew Day and Others v Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council. The council is also known as Horizons Regional Council.

“Federated Farmers stands for sustainable, profitable farming for the benefit of New Zealand’s future. This is why we have filed an appeal today. This plan is a step too far,” says Lyn Neeson, Federated Farmers Ruapehu chairperson and a sheep and beef farmer.

“We believe this appeal is in the interests of everyone in our region, not just farmers. We need to ensure points of law are closely examined as we hope the appeal will now do.

“We want sustainable profitable farming because all communities want to prosper while enjoying the benefits of a sustainable environment. Jobs, opportunity and the environment do not have to be incompatible.

“This appeal is really about getting the balance right,” Mrs Neeson added.

This sentiment was also shared by Bulls based arable farmer, Hew Dalrymple, who is Vice-Chairperson of Federated Farmers Grain & Seed.

“I want to make it clear we respect the legal process,” Mr Dalrymple commented.

“Any appeal is based on what we see as being errors in law. We believe the Environment Court has gone too far in some respects. That is why we are seeking legal clarity on this. It is a legitimate and proper response.

“Whatever the outcome, everyone will be affected in some way, whether it is through job prospects, enjoyment of the environment or the future prospects for our region.

“We need good environmental outcomes, good economic outcomes and good community outcomes.

“Water and its quality are vitally important. Like everyone else in the community, farmers want good water quality too. This is why farmers have invested millions of dollars and have positively changed how we farm over the past decade.

“We want sustainable profitable farming so that New Zealand can pay its bills and also continue to enjoy high environmental standards. It is why we welcome Palmerston North City Council now considering investing in improved sewage infrastructure. We want to swim in the river as well.

“As cropping farmers, we want to find and implement practical solutions that work not only for farmers, but the wider community we are a part of,” Mr Dalrymple said.

Andrew Hoggard, Federated Farmers Manawatu/Rangitikei chairperson and a Feilding dairy farmer, joined his colleagues is stressing the appeal is based on what Federated Farmers sees as errors in law.

“This is a step too far. We honestly believe the Environment Court has made errors in law and this appeal, like the one lodged by Horticulture NZ, should be seen in a positive light. We believe it is a responsible response towards getting an even better and more enduring outcome for all.

“But as the matter is now before the courts, we are pretty much limited by what we can say from now on in,” Mr Hoggard concluded.

ENDS

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Arguably Reassuring: Inspector-General Finds GCSB "Arguably" Legal

Of the 88 individuals:

• 15 cases involving 22 individuals did not have any information intercepted by GCSB.

• another four cases involving five individuals were the subjects of a New Zealand Security Intelligence Service warrant and the GCSB assisted in the execution of the warrants. The Inspector-General is of the view that there were arguably no breaches and the law is unclear.

• the Bureau only provided technical assistance which did not involve interception of communications, involving three of the individuals, so no breach occurred.

• the remaining cases involved the collection of metadata, and the Inspector-General formed the view that there had arguably been no breach, noting once again that the law is unclear.
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