Farmers Back Anti-Red Tape Bill

13 September 2007

Farmers Back Anti-Red Tape Bill

Federated Farmers strongly supports the intent of Rodney Hide's Regulatory Responsibility Bill, said Charlie Pedersen, President of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

"A Regulatory Responsibility Bill is long overdue for New Zealand," said Mr Pedersen.

"Compliance costs and the burden of regulation are huge issues for farmers and more must be done to ensure that when new laws are introduced and when existing laws changed that the burden and costs associated with them are minimised wherever possible.

"Mr Hide's bill is a good effort and its intent is admirable. Its goal of improving the quality of regulation and its recognition of compensation for taking of property rights wins support from farmers.

"The bill is not perfect and it needs some amendments but these should be able to be addressed by the select committee. For example, we think there should be an independent body to act as gatekeeper for regulation and legislation, there needs to be clarification on compensation for 'other rights', and we disagree with excluding the option of challenge by judicial review.

"It was great that almost all MPs agreed that this bill be referred to a select committee. We now hope that it can be improved and that it will continue to be supported in its remaining stages," said Mr Pedersen.

ENDS

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