At recent B+LNZ freshwater policy workshops around NZ, we heard the passion farmers have for the environment and gained valuable insights into their current concerns around policy frameworks.
The Government is making a suite of changes to freshwater policies and regulations, providing a great opportunity for B+LNZ and our farmers to provide feedback on the future of freshwater policy. B+LNZ is committed to ensuring that the feedback we provide to the Government and regional councils reflects the farmer voice.
B+LNZ GM Policy and Advocacy Dave Harrison said focused meetings provided invaluable input to feed into this process. Meetings were held between 5 and 13 June in Balclutha, Christchurch, Te Kuiti and Feilding.
“We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to attend a workshop and provide their thoughts and insights. The team gathered some great material to support the continued delivery of a freshwater policy work programme that aims to provide workable and practical policy outcomes for our farmers.”
Harrison says farmers’ passion for the environment and for looking after freshwater came through strongly in the meetings, as did the many actions farmers have already taken to improve freshwater on-farm.
“It was also clear that the current regulatory environment is hindering farmers from making progress and causing real concern about the future.
“The meetings were really useful in identifying issues and solutions to test our thinking as we develop a roadmap for freshwater policy to take to Government and regional councils. We want to ensure we get this right and develop sustainable, enduring policy solutions.”
Nationally important topics
During the workshops farmers indicated what policy issues they faced and their priorities. There were some regional differences, but overall the top three topics farmers felt were important was consistent:
1) Regulated freshwater farm planning
Farmers agreed that freshwater farm plans need to be based on a regime that motivates and encourages on-farm environmental improvements, and that farm planning should be anchored to a risk-based approach. They felt they needed to be able to complete plans themselves, and that they should not need multiple farm environment plans. They also felt a two-step certification and auditing process should not be required. Although there was general agreement on this issue there was great discussion on specific solutions that has provided B+LNZ’s Environment Policy team with plenty to think about in how we continue to develop our positions and the feedback we provide to Government.
2) Regional freshwater policy processes including changes to regional plans and rules
The workshops were a great space for farmers to share various concerns and experiences they have with regional freshwater processes in their area. Farmers felt that regional council processes are complicated to be involved in and that many of the proposed rules are not workable, and they often don’t feel heard by councils. B+LNZ will continue to provide feedback to Councils that active engagement with rural communities and farmers is crucial within regional planning processes.
3) National bottom lines and setting of water quality targets
Farmers were concerned about the achievability of the national bottom lines, noting they are unrealistic and impractical. Farmer views on how and where targets should be set varied between having catchment-level models to regional-level, although all agreed that the process needs to work alongside farmers and the community. They agreed robust data is essential and that outcomes-based approaches will achieve the best results. Farmers were pleased to see that B+LNZ has been proactively working in this area – further information will be available soon.
Farmer feedback about the workshops
At the end of each workshop B+LNZ provided farmers with a survey to complete. All farmers who attended agreed or strongly agreed that:
- farmers had the opportunity to provide input
- the day was a good use of time
- that they would come to another similar environment policy session.
Farmer feedback quotes included:
“informative afternoon, perfect”
“allowing farmers to speak and give views is important and will result in better/practical outcomes”
“B+L team asked good questions and facilitated a great, safe environment for us to share our thoughts”
“good constructive approach to the topic”
Next steps
Harrison says the development of B+LNZ’s response to the Government’s environment policy changes is ongoing and there will be further opportunities for farmers to get involved – currently planned are:
- further testing of our freshwater and climate change policy positions during the nationwide B+LNZ Director roadshow (see the roadshow event page for info on dates and locations)
- more detailed climate change policy workshops at the end of September, following a similar format to the freshwater policy workshops – locations and dates are being worked through and more info will be in e-diaries soon – please register your interest in attending here.
- biodiversity policy workshops are also planned for late 2024 or early 2025, with more information to come.