Livestock by-law should be scrapped
Released 25 Mar 2011
Federated Farmers is once again moving to oppose a draconian livestock movement bylaw proposed by Waikato District Council (WDC).
"Waikato District Council last attempted to impose its restrictive livestock movement bylaw in 2006 and its now up for review. Farmer apathy allowed them to slip that one under our noses, but we don't want this to happen again," says Auckland Federated Farmers President, Wendy Clark.
"The WDC's bylaw restricted the common law right of stockowners to move stock on roads and imposed a mandatory permit system which applied no matter how short or infrequent the journey. This is quite simply unreasonable and impinges upon farmers' rights.
"They claim these permits are required so everyone's legal butts are covered in the event of an accident. Untrue. A permit is no better than a properly worded bylaw. For example, the former Franklin District Council allowed farmers to move stock on roads as long as they complied with a set of reasonable criteria. Permits were only required in exceptional circumstances.
"As a rule most livestock movement bylaws are designed to maximize road safety and minimize surface damage. The WDC has also slipped a hidden third objective into their policy, one which seeks to minimize the so-called ‘social impacts'. This gives any person complaining about livestock on a road the power to force a review and put an existing permit in jeopardy.
"This sets a dangerous precedent which undermines the farmer's right to undertake normal rural activities in a rural area, especially since many other councils don't have these laws.
"However, the review does sensibly propose to exempt regular crossers of no exit roads from the need to install an underpass. Unfortunately this is dependant on the approval of other residents. Farmers, like any other business owner, need some certainty. Access to their land should not hang on the whims of the public.
"Federated Farmers is not questioning whether or not there should be a bylaw, which is all the council seems to think we are doing. Farmers are frustrated with the content of the proposed bylaw.
"The Council claims that the bylaw follows best practice and is modelled on a nationwide model. Also untrue. If anything, most bylaws are like the Franklin example above.
"South Franklin farmers are now faced with the prospect of being caught up in this repressive Waikato by-law. Auckland and Waikato Federated Farmers agree farmers would be better served if this proposed by-law was scrapped. The Council needs to have the proper consultation with the local farming community," concluded Mrs Clark.
For further information:
Wendy Clark, Federated Farmers Auckland president, 09 236 3082, 021 155 1094
Stew Wadey, Federated Farmers Waikato president, 07 888 1808, 027 277 9996
