Ministry for the Environment is seeking feedback on freshwater farm plans

06 September 2021 | News

The Ministry for the Environment (Mfe) is currently seeking feedback on the proposed freshwater farm plan system.

In September last year, the Government passed into law new essential freshwater regulations which included rules relating to freshwater farm plans and stock exclusion from waterbodies regulations.

The Ministry for the Environment (Mfe) is currently seeking feedback on the proposed freshwater farm plan (FW-FP) system, the content of the plans and how to implement them.

At the same time, the Ministry for the Environment is also seeking feedback on the proposed changes to the low slope map which is incorporated in the Resource Management (Stock Exclusion) Regulations 2020.

Feedback on both of these proposals close on Sunday 26 September 2021.

Overview of Freshwater Farm Plans

Freshwater Farm Plans will be required for most farms with over 20 hectares in arable or pastrol use, 5 hectares or more in horticultural use and 20 hectares or more of combined use. They are a new legal instrument established under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 and Part 9A of the RMA (sections 217A to 217M).

Under the Freshwater National Policy Statement, regional councils will involve tangata whenua, as well as others, in the regional freshwater planning process. Freshwater farm plans will then reflect these regional plans when they are finalised.

Regional plans might include, for example, what the main issues are that need to be addressed, what mahinga kai values/locations need to be protected or what particularly important sites need protection or restoration.

Ministry for the Environment discussion documents

Freshwater Farm Plans - here https://consult.environment.govt.nz/freshwater/freshwater-farm-plan-regulations/.

Stock exclusion regulation changes - here https://consult.environment.govt.nz/freshwater/stock-exclusion-regulations/.

You can make a submission to the Ministry for the Environment here. https://consult.environment.govt.nz/.

For more information, contact [email protected].

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