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Vol 19 No 35, September 14, 2020
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Parker stands by rules Colin Williscroft
T
colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz
HE controversial mapping method that determines what are classified as low-slope paddocks in the new freshwater rules is set to change but Environment Minister David Parker stands by the new package of regulations, although he does not rule out further tweaks. Parker is confident the new package of freshwater rules is not only fit for purpose, it’s essential for New Zealand’s future – but modifications are possible if it can be shown that they are necessary. He says there have already been changes to a technical detail in respect of new pugging rules, while proposed dissolved inorganic nitrogen limits were not included in the final package. “We’ll always be able to improve details but some of the critics pick on little details like a scab and then try to say that the whole package is flawed because of their criticism of it. That’s just wrong,” he said. “We’re absolutely confident that this package overall is a very good package, and a necessary package given the problems that we’ve seen in our waterways and continue to see.” Farmers can expect to see changes to the mapping involved around the new low-slope rules and the need for fencing in certain areas. Parker agrees that the maps used at present need to be improved but they were the best
STATE OF THE ART: The latest technology will be used to produce new maps for aspects of the freshwater regulations. available at the time regulations were drafted. However, funding has now been put aside to utilise more accurate, state-of-the-art, Lidar (light detection and ranging) data. Lidar uses aerial 3D mapping to provide detailed computerised maps, showing varieties in slope that can be better used for management purposes by farmers and by regional councils. Parker and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor recently met with Southland farming and regional council representatives, along with others from Fish &
Game, to discuss the new winter grazing rules and the reasons for them. He says discussions were constructive but changes to some farmers’ current practices will have to be made. “In Southland the number of cows has gone from 50,000 to 650,000 cows and what might have been okay with 50,000 cows, doesn’t work when you’ve got 650,000 cows,” he said. “We know that (in Southland) the estimated loss of topsoil to waterways and estuaries is about 150,000 tonnes per annum and
that done poorly, a single hectare of winter grazing left exposed in a rain event can lose tens of tonnes of sediment to waterways.” The National Environment Standard stipulates that done in a specified way to a specified scale it’s a permitted activity but beyond that it’s not and farmers will need to apply for approval to the regional council. “We’ve discussed why that’s necessary, and how that could be made practical,” Parker said. There were, however, some sticking points.
“Farmers said they don’t like having to apply for resource consents and that’s a position they stuck to,” he said. “And they don’t think the November 1 replanting date is practical.” On the plus side, he says the Southland representatives are embracing farm plans. “They are really buying into them, including audited farm plans, which is good,” he said. He does not buy into the theory that his role as Environment Minister advocating the Continued page 5
WHO’D HAVE THOUGHT SHOVING PLASTIC INTO A HOLE IN THE GROUND WAS PROGRESS. Turning plastic waste into fence posts is an ingenious idea. One that Jerome Wenzlick has turned into reality through dogged perseverance. Not only do his plastic posts outperform their wooden counterparts, they’re helping to solve a big environmental problem—each reusing around 400 plastic bottles and 1,500 plastic bags. When you do things differently, it’s great to know someone like FMG has got your back. To hear the full FuturePost story, go to fmg.co.nz/futurepost
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