Articles tagged with Freshwater Farm Plans

Government Simplifies Freshwater Farm Plans with Risk-Based, Cost-Effective Regulations

6 days ago | 135 views

The Government is revising freshwater farm plans to create a simpler, more cost-effective system focused on certifying and auditing only higher-risk farming activities, such as dairy farming and intensive grazing. New regulations will streamline requirements, raise thresholds for mandatory plans, extend certification cycles, and enable industry organizations to provide certification services, reducing duplication and paperwork for farmers. These changes aim to better manage actual water quality risks while minimizing costs and administrative burdens for farmers.

Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard freshwater farm plans Natural Environment Bill farm plan certification farm plan auditing Agriculture Minister Associate Environment Minister farm plan regulations

New Planning and Environment Bills Boost Farming with Practical Freshwater Plans

1 month ago | 294 views

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Minister Andrew Hoggard welcome the Select Committee report on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill as key reforms replacing the Resource Management Act (RMA) to support farmers and economic growth. The bills introduce a practical, risk-based freshwater farm plan system, removing audit requirements for non-certified plans and focusing certification and audits only on higher-risk farming activities. These changes aim to reduce costs, delays, and uncertainty for farmers while ensuring environmental protections and compliance in sensitive areas.

Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Agriculture Minister Associate Environment Minister Associate Agriculture Minister Select Committee Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill RMA freshwater farm plans