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This page contains this week’s e-diary national notices.
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This week’s notices:
Update for Otago farmers on water permits and discharge rules
The Government has provided fixes for two issues that have been weighing heavily on Otago farmers: water permits and discharge rules. Water permits granted since March 2020 for less than six years will be automatically extended for five years. Diffuse discharge rules that would’ve forced nearly every farmer to get a resource consent by April 2026 will be removed. These changes are practical and cut through red tape, giving farmers a bit more confidence to focus on running their farms. But it’s still only a short-term fix. For more details, see Otago Regional Council’s website for FAQs.
Failure to fix ETS means wholesale farmland conversions will continue
The latest proposed changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) leave the door open for the continued wholesale conversion of productive sheep and beef farmland into carbon farms. Read our media release.
Resolution of consenting issues arising from s.70 of RMA
In positive news for farming activities, following concerns raised by Environment Southland and Waikato Regional Council which were echoed by sector groups such as B+LNZ, changes have been made to Section 70 of the RMA. Without these changes thousands of farmers would have needed consents to continue farming. The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill progressed through another stage in Parliament this week, following consultation earlier this year (this consultation was separate to the recent one on RMA national direction instruments). The changes to s.70 address significant issues following a Court of Appeal ruling in Southland which created a roadblock for plans around the country allowing everyday activities such as farming, household septic tanks, stormwater discharges, road runoff etc. from being permitted. Environment Southland had publicly stated s.70 needed to be amended because the burden would not only be on farmers but also the regional council and communities, and importantly would not lead to additional environmental benefits.
Opinion editorial on carbon farming
The Sunday Star-Times ran an opinion editorial by B+LNZ Chair Kate Acland last week, which argued our sector can’t contribute to the Government’s goal of doubling exports by 2030 if we’ve planted our best farmland in pine trees. It notes that production forestry plays a legitimate role in our export mix, and integrated on-farm planting can benefit both farming and biodiversity – but the ETS is creating perverse incentives that make it profitable to convert entire farms that are otherwise economically and environmentally productive. Read the editorial on our website here.
Nominate bulls for across-breed Beef Progeny Test
B+LNZ is calling for bull nominations for the 2025 mating of the across-breed Beef Progeny Test. This is an opportunity for stud breeders to be part of the ground-breaking Informing NZ Beef programme and gain valuable insights into their bulls' progeny performance. Nominations are open to Angus and Hereford breeds. Nominations close 31 August. More info here.
Facial eczema webinar: insights from the Sheep Poo Study
The B+LNZ team behind the Sheep Poo Study, part of the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts (EFEI) programme, is hosting a webinar from 12–1pm on Friday 22 August. This is open to all farmers. Join Dr Cara Brosnahan and Dr Ginny Dodunski from Wormwise as they share the latest findings from last year’s study, provide an update on the programme, and answer your questions about facial eczema. Register online.
Wairarapa Livestock Parasite Management Group Field Day
B+LNZ is hosting a farmer-led field day titled ‘It’s drench resistance, not a death sentence’ in the Wairarapa on Tuesday 2 September, from 11am–4pm, focused on internal parasite control. Hear what the pilot group of the Livestock Parasite Management focus group learnt through three years of farm-based research, gain practical insights from farmers managing worms, and discover new approaches like DAGI. Held at Matariki Terraces by George Tatham and Martin Reisima with speakers from B+LNZ, Wormwise, and vets Sara Sutherland and Ryan Luckman. Register here.