Addressing farmers’ concerns over a wave of poorly crafted regulations putting their farming businesses at risk will be a key focus for Beef + Lamb New Zealand under the new government.
BLNZ chair Kate Acland said the industry organisation is looking forward to working constructively with the incoming government.
“We want to find enduring solutions for our sector and secure farmer-led outcomes that benefit the environment while still allowing us to farm productively and profitably,” she said.
“We have a proud history of innovation and adaption and we need the incoming government to enable farmers rather than restrict them.”
She said beef and sheep farmers have real concerns about the viability of their farming businesses.
“Our farmers are telling us they are worried about the wave of poorly crafted regulations that are putting the viability of their farm businesses at risk.”
Acland highlighted key priority areas BLNZ wants the new government to focus on including the introduction of urgent measures to curb the sale of sheep and beef farms into carbon farms; changes to the Indigenous Biodiversity National Policy Statement; amendments to the unfairly high methane targets; and fixing the low slope map for stock exclusion.
“We also want realistic timeframes for regional councils to implement national freshwater policy.
“The issues we are currently facing are not going to go away and what we are looking for are practical and effective solutions that stand the test of time,” Acland said.
