FARM ENVIRONMENT PLANNING IN THE GISBORNE DISTRICT Words by Leanne Stewart : General Manager, Process Vegetables New Zealand
Horticulture New Zealand, together with Process Vegetables New Zealand and Vegetables New Zealand, held a grower meeting in Gisborne on 18 January 2021 to discuss the upcoming requirements for all commercial vegetable growers (including process vegetable growers) to have prepared and submitted a farm environment plan to Gisborne District Council, under the Tairāwhiti Resource Management Plan, by 1 May 2021. The Tairāwhiti Resource Management Plan came into effect in 2017 and was last updated in December 2018. Section C sets out the region-wide issues, objectives, policies and rules for environmental risk, freshwater and land management. Section 6.2.9 specifically sets out the rules for diffuse discharge, which will be managed by farm environment plans for vegetable crops and cropping activities, but also includes intensive grazing of stock. Within the Plan growers are asked to become familiar with Appendix H20 that sets out what will need to be incorporated into their farm environment plan, which includes these details: • • • • • • • • •
Property details and consents held Maps of owned and leased blocks Nutrient budget and management Irrigation and soil management Environmental effects and risks Measurable targets for actions Good management practices Recording and measuring performance of targets Annual reviews and adjustments.
Fruit crops are not required to have a farm environment plan under the Tairāwhiti Resource Management Plan, but will be under the national requirements.
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We will know more about what central government is requiring of all growers later in the year once regulations have been developed. There are several options for how you develop a farm environment plan, with different organisations providing resources and assistance. Among these there are the Gisborne District Council, the New Zealand Good Agriculture Practices (NZGAP) Environment Management System (EMS), the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and independent consultants that provide services in planning. The table below provides a useful comparison of how the different systems and templates are recognised under regional and central government requirements. Meets minimum appendix H20
Advisor input at development stage (workshops)
Independently audited, and certified
Aligned with RMA Part 9A
GDC Template
YES
Possible
No
No
EMS Template
YES
YES
YES
YES
FAR & other Template
YES
Possible
No
No
To assist Gisborne vegetable growers to meet the 1 May 2021 deadline for submitting a farm environment plan, HortNZ intends to run a series of support workshops for growers who wish to use the NZGAP EMS template to produce their plan. If you are interested in attending these workshops please contact Scott Mahupuku, HortNZ environmental policy advisor (Scott.Mahupuku@hortnz.co.nz), or Calvin Gedye, Gisborne Produce Growers Association (Calvin.gedye@ xtra.co.nz).
