12 April 2002

Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc) President Alistair Polson has congratulated the Government on moving to stop the renewal of unused mining permits that were issued under the now repealed Mining Act 1971 and Coal Mines Act 1979.

In a submission on the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill 2001 to the Commerce Committee yesterday Mr Polson said that legitimate mining concerns have to be balanced against the need to protect the property rights of individual landowners.

"For too long farmers have been in the situation where historic mining permits were able to be held over the land with obvious effects on the ability of the landowner to sell his or her land. The use it or lose principle was the fairest way of solving the problem.

"Taranaki is one area where some farmers will be celebrating the removal of a mineral millstone from around their neck."

Federated Farmers also supported the need to retain notification on land titles of all mining permits issued under the Mining Act.

ENDS

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