Angus Kebbell finds more farmer voices chafing under new land-use proposals and regulations in the run-up to the 2023 election

This week on Factum-Agri long time farmer Greg Anderson joins me to discuss the current season and some of the key issues for farmers as we head into an election.

Anderson has lived and worked his 1500 hectare extensive Hill property for 25 years in the Fairlie basin. Two years ago however he and his wife sold up to a young couple and they are farming it much the same way as he did which is pleasing to Greg. He is a sheep and beef man through and through and he couldn’t be happier to see the farm in the hands of a young family rather than a corporate or carbon farmer. Anderson now lives on a 25 acre block fattening lambs and trading cattle, the change of lifestyle and pace also allows him to focus his time and support the industry through various farmer groups.

He is the long-standing head ('President') of Federated Farmers in South Canterbury.

The evolution of farming is constant, and farmers are much more efficient, conscious and environmentally engaged than ever, but he says policy coming out of Wellington makes no sense and greater engagement with farmers is need to ensure policy actually works on farm. The Government has recently announced a consultation on stock exclusion zone amendments, and he says policy makers are using the wrong methodology.

“I suppose they're really concerned about the low slope map as far as intensive versus extensive stocking. I did read the document, they are asking for consultation back on what stocking rate you can get away with not having to fence. But I think that's a bit naïve, I mean surely you want to look at the overall picture, you know, what time of the year it is, what class of stock it is, whether it's a water body that's going to be affected? You know, I think it's far better assessed through freshwater farm plans or farm environment plans or management plans, rather than going down strict rules on stock units, which is what they're looking at, from what I've read in the document.”

So what can we expect in terms of policy out of Labour in the run into election day?

“It's hard to know, some of the ministers in there are pretty dogmatic about what they want to achieve. I don't think they can achieve it successfully by election time, and if they do it's going to be a balls-up to put it politely. The review of the RMA which is bloody important across all aspects of New Zealand society, and I don't think they can do that properly by the election, but they seem to think they will. And a lot of these regulations they are trying to put in place, there hasn't been fair consultation I don't believe. Knowing politicians, they are going to back off a bit because there is an election coming up, they don't want to upset the rural sector because they can see National and Act are trying to grab as much of the rural sector as possible.”

We need accurate measurements using the right tools that deliver the correct information. It is at that point policy should be formed. We need policy makers listening to the farming community and we need outcomes that are fair and policy driven by science and practical thinking.

Listen to the podcast to hear the full story.

Angus Kebbell is the Producer at Tailwind Media. You can contact him here.