RMA Controls Disappoint Farmers

16 March 2007
RMA Controls Disappoint Farmers

Federated Farmers backs efforts to protect Lake Taupo’s water quality but does not support the approach taken by Environment Waikato, said Gifford McFadden, President of Rotorua/Taupo Federated Farmers.

Federated Farmers wants to keep pastoral farming as a permitted activity under the Resource Management Act, but with performance standards.

“It is unfortunate that Environment Waikato has not taken this approach but has instead today decided to make pastoral farming in the Taupo catchment a controlled activity under the RMA,” Mr McFadden said.

“This effectively means that farming families will need a resource consent to carry on normal farming operations. Anyone who has tried to get a resource consent knows that this is not as easy as it sounds.

“The quality of Lake Taupo water is very high by world standards and Federated Farmers wishes to help protect water quality while allowing people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural well being.

“There is an important precedent at stake for all farming in New Zealand. If adopted more widely, the EW solution would stop all innovation and change and would have a severe economic impact on New Zealand as a whole.

“Federated Farmers is also concerned that after six years of research and consultation, the primary solution proposed is making farming a controlled activity and that speedier solutions will not be used.

“Farmers have a part to play in reducing nuturent leakage to water catchments, and they understand that Environment Waikato has to take action. But the Federation believes that making farming a controlled activity is not the right approach. Keeping it as a permitted activity with performance standards such as nutrient management systems and keeping stock out of waterways is a more effective and positive approach. We would also support more positive solutions which would actively strip nitrogen from waterways.

“It is highly likely that the Federation will appeal this decision,” Mr McFadden said.

ENDS

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