Unintended consequence: Farmers who have invested in long term fresh water remediation feel thrown under the bus

Sheep and beef farmers are generally in agreement with the principles behind the Ministry for the Environment’s discussion document on the national direction for essential freshwater, but there is substantial unease about the finer details.

Three key areas of concern, identified by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, are proposed restrictions on farm systems to current emissions levels, land use and farm systems termed grandparenting, compliance costs well in excess of forecasts, and the real potential for sheep and beef farmers to be put out of business. Read More