ACT welcomes National backing ACT’s plan to cut farm red tape

“ACT welcomes National backing our policy to set national standards for core farming activities and cut red tape for Kiwi farmers,” says ACT’s Agriculture spokesperson Andrew Hoggard.

“ACT announced this policy just two weeks ago at the Rural Issues debate in Hamilton, outlining initial national standards for everyday jobs on the farm from crop rotation and water storage to solar and drain maintenance. It’s great to see National come to the exact same conclusion today.

“ACT is happy to share the praise when it means relief for farmers and growers who spend far too much time and money wading through needless bureaucracy.

“For years, routine work on farms like rotating a vegetable crop, putting up small-scale solar panels, or installing culverts has been bogged down by consent processes that cost tens of thousands of dollars before a shovel even hits the dirt. Replacing RMA over-regulation with clear, practical national standards will give farmers the certainty and confidence they need to get on with the job.

“ACT also wants to go further by setting a national methodology for freshwater limits and scrapping te mana o te wai, so farmers have confidence that councils are setting realistic, consistent limits rather than imposing unworkable rules based on spiritual ideas.

“Making farming easier benefits every single New Zealander, with a stronger primary sector driving our economic recovery.

“ACT has released a rural manifesto, and has more rural-focused policies coming by the day. We encourage all parties to continue to take inspiration from ACT’s ideas and suggest the next cab off the rank be keeping Agriculture in the Year 11 curriculum.

“A Party Vote for ACT will help re-elect the coalition and ensure it goes further and faster on the issues that matter to rural New Zealand.”