agribusiness profile
property maintenance
Challenging economic times are no barrier for Dougal Lamont. page 28
Hawkes Bay station owner enlists contractors for farm maintenance. page 46
RuralNEWS
animal health NZ’s first case of Border disease is no cause for alarm say vets.
page 41
to all farmers, for all farmers
september 18, 2012: Issue 523
www.ruralnews.co.nz
Minister steps in P E TE R BU R K E
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES minister David Carter has called for an urgent report from his officials on the fallout from Horizons Regional Council’s One Plan. The Environment Courts ‘interim’ decision on the One Plan has sparked nationwide outrage from farmers, who see this as a blueprint for what could happen in other regions. There have been calls for MPI to take an active role in making submissions to regional plans – such as One Plan – which they used to do in the days of MAF. Carter told Rural News he’d be concerned if decisions on One Plan had flow-on effects to work central government is doing through the Land and Water Forum (LAWF). “I would be unhappy, given all the work we are doing on water, to find the progress we have made was being gazumped by decisions by regional
councils around the country. This would include putting a stop to further intensification of land that can be justified environmentally.” There are fears that good relationships built up through LAWF between opposing parties are in danger of falling apart as a result of the One Plan decision. If that were to happen it could have serious consequences for the Government, hence Carter’s move to see whether MPI needs to take a more proactive role as an advocate for farming.
“There certainly appears to be dismay at the decision by the Environment Court and that is why I have called for a report from my ministry officials,” says Carter. Meanwhile the MPI’s director-general, Wayne McNee, has confirmed to Rural News that they are looking at the implications of the One Plan decision. In a brief statement, McNee says the focus of MPI is on maximising and increasing sustainable resource use and improving the productivity of
One farce! Manawatu mixed cropping farmer Hew Dalrymple says the Environment Court has shown a lack of respect for farmers’ views and its decision on the controversial One Plan is a “farce”. He believes the plan, as amended by the court, will make it harder for farmers like him to grow high value crops – further affecting the region’s economy. One Plan fallout pages 4 & 5
the farming sector. He says MPI – and the Ministry for the Environment – are looking at a range of issues on fresh water quality, allocation, science and monitoring. McNee says this relates to creating a regulatory framework for water. “One aspect of this is identifying roadblocks to developing water storage and reliable irrigation – viewed as key drivers of the primary sector’s economic performance – while maintaining high environmental standards.”
RUC protest brings result P ET ER BUR K E
THE MINISTERS of transport and primary industries are seeking a solution to complaints by a Canterbury agricultural contractor (Rural News, September 4) about new rules on road user charges. Robert McCarthy hit out at suggestions by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee that it wasn’t difficult for contractors to install GPS on their tractors if they wanted to travel more than 40km/h on the open road. McCarthy said this was simply not possible and very costly. David Carter says he has talked to Brownlee about McCarthy’s situation and Brownlee now recognises that there is an issue. “I have spoken to Robert McCarthy again and advised him that Mr Brownlee will have his officials personally meet with him to try to find a solution. I believe there is a genuine serious problem that needs to be addressed. It’s not my specific area as the minister for primary industries, but I have taken the opportunity of raising it directly with Gerry Brownlee and have received a fair hearing.” Carter says until a permanent solution is found he has told McCarthy it is best he drives his tractors under 40km/h on open roads. More on RUC page 6
An irrigator isn't some sort of reptile.
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