FAR has developed a new electronic publication aimed at keeping growers up to date with environmental regulations.
Diana Mathers, FAR's Farm Systems Research Manager, says Ground Rules will maintain a regional focus, and will be compiled on an "as and when required" basis.
"The aim of this newsletter is to keep our levy payers up to speed with things relating to compliance and regional rules. The regulatory space is changing fast and many details about the rules are still up in the air with submissions being written and hearings still to come.
"Because the various regional councils are taking different approaches and are at different stages are of the regulatory process, we have decided to keep the newsletter regionally focused. The first one, which is going out this week, is for growers based with Environment Canterbury's boundaries, and is covering issues such as farm environment plans, consents and Overseer®. As new regulations or deadlines are set in Canterbury, or in other regions, further issues will go out.
"Most arable farmers want to be compliant with the new rules and move through the process efficiently with as little expense and aggravation as possible. Ground Rules will help by providing targeted, timely information, not only about rules, but also with research and other updates that will help with managing through them."