The formal notification of the freshwater farm plans regulations is expected within a month. Following notification, they will be ‘turned on’ a couple of months later in Waikato and Southland, with other regions to follow.
What can you do to prepare?
If you already have a farm environment plan or are part of an industry assurance programme, keep doing what you are doing. Keep an eye out for updates in newspapers and online, as well as from your regional council, MfE, MPI, farm adviser or industry body. Take the time to understand your local waterways, not only on your farm but within your catchment. Taking action now to address farming risks and effects will be rewarded when the time comes for you to develop your freshwater farm plan
FAR will provide more information on the rollout of the Freshwater Farm Plan regulations to growers as it becomes available.
For more information contact FAR's Environment Technical and Policy Advisor Hannah Ritchie at Hannah.Ritchie@far.org.nz or on 027 262 4617