Source: Federated Farmers
Federated Farmers is welcoming news the Government will consider options to prevent Waikato farmers being hit by rules developed under an old planning system.
Speaking at the Primary Industries NZ Summit in Auckland today, Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay addressed growing concerns about the effects Waikato Region Plan Change 1 (PC1) could have on farmers.
“I met with Minister Bishop yesterday to make the case for Waikato farmers,” McClay said.
“It doesn’t make sense to have a new national planning system adopted by Parliament before the election but for the Waikato to be sentenced to rules that were developed under the old system.
“We will instruct officials to provide advice on options to better align rulemaking in the Waikato with the replaced RMA.”
McClay’s comments came just days after Federated Farmers urged the Government to urgently press pause on PC1 until the dust has settled on major national policy reforms.
Waikato Federated Farmers vice president Andrew Reymer says McClay’s comments will be hugely encouraging for farmers worried about their future.
“With the Government currently overhauling local government and the resource management system, we think PC1 needs to be paused.
“It’s clear that the Government is moving towards cutting most of the cost and complexity out of farming, but unfortunately the Waikato Regional Council’s PC1 is heading in the other direction.
“It’s like the Government is trying to press the accelerator on economic growth, but Council’s PC1 is pulling the handbrake.
“The Minister’s comments today show there’s clearly political will to step in and support Waikato farmers, so now we’ll wait to see what options his officials bring to the table.”