Wins
Federated Farmers strives to ensure that the business of farming continues to be profitable and that farmers retain control over their assets. It works on a wide range of issues affecting members.
It works hard to ensure that rural people are fairly represented before decision-makers, who increasingly think from an urban perspective.
Recent wins celebrated by Federated Farmers
Access on Right Path
After years of supporting the right of landowners to control who comes on their land, Federated Farmers won a victory on walking access. The government said it would recognise the rights of landowners and opt for voluntary negotiation instead of regulation to extend access over private land. The policy put the final nail in the coffin of an access law strongly opposed by farmers and other landowners for being unworkable, draconian and unnecessary.
Roading Boost
A government decision that all revenue raised from fuel taxes will go on transport (eg. roads) is excellent for farmers. Federated Farmers has been calling for full dedication of fuel tax revenue for many years. Achieving it is a big win after a huge lobbying effort by members, elected leaders and Federation staff.
1080 Still OK
Federated Farmers joined other organisations (including DOC and Forest and Bird) to convince regulators of the benefits of continued use of 1080. Tuberculosis in cattle and deer herds has fallen by more than 90 percent in the past decade, largely thanks to possum control, and New Zealand is on track to be free of Tb by 2013 or earlier. 1080 is the backbone of the Tb eradication scheme and will continue to be used.
Taking On DOC
Federated Farmers helped an East Coast farmer win a landmark court case involving the Resource Management Act. The court battle vindicated farmers, who have long been saying the Department of Conservation has too much say over what farmers do on their own land.
Drought Relief
More than 150 Australian farmers and family members were given a break from their drought nightmare, courtesy of Federation members. Federated Farmers, in an alliance with Jetstar Airlines and Australia's National Farmers' Federation, set up a scheme which offered accommodation to Aussie farmers. About 350 members put up their baches, cribs and own homes for our Aussie mates.
Deer Controls Eased
After pressure from the Federation, the government relaxed controls on hunting sambar deer. Recreational hunters now have more opportunities to hunt the deer, and foresters and farmers can better control deer causing damage to their properties.
Recovery Help
Federated Farmers helped convince the government to continue the Agricultural Recovery Programme deployed in the 2004 floods. In a review of how it handles adverse events, the government also agreed to support the Rural Support Trusts, another item on farmers' wish lists.
Rates Reform Mooted
Federation representatives put a huge effort into lobbying a government-led inquiry into rates. The inquiry's final report contained some wins for farmers, and Federated Farmers is now working on the government and councils to introduce these reforms.
Petrol Rule Avoided
Farmers won an exemption from rules forcing them to become ‘approved handlers' for storing less than 2000 litres of petrol. Federated Farmers lobbied hard for the exemption.
Cost Saver
Federated Farmers forged agreement on the Gisborne air plan. Farmers now have the flexibility to choose the most appropriate agri-chemical user training programme, saving time, money and duplication of other legislative requirements.
Payback Time
Thanks to Federation efforts, the South Taranaki District Council admitted it had misapplied the law on esplanade strips and reserves. The council agreed it had not fully compensated landowners for surveying costs associated with taking strips and reserves. Federated Farmers is seeking compensation for all affected landowners.
Wins In Your Area
- Examples include New Plymouth District Council proposing to abolish wards. Federated Farmers appealed to the Local Government Commission. The commission agreed and the ward structure stayed...
- Tasman District Council sought to remove a councillor from the mainly rural Golden Bay and abolish the community board. Federated Farmers succeeded in having both ideas thrown out....
- Waitaki District Council's planned rate hike was cut back, saving farmers an average of $150 a year, and up to $500 for larger farms....
- Whangarei District Council dumped an initiative to end the rural rating differential, after strong submissions from Federated Farmers....
- Queenstown Lakes' farmers have greater flexibility and fewer compliance costs when putting up a farm building. A strong delegation of farmers altered the status of farm buildings, saving up to $10,000 per building....
- Environment Waikato halved its proposed massive rate increase....
- Federated Farmers co-ordinated widespread farmer opposition to Auckland Regional Council's plan to classify large areas of the province outstanding natural landscape. The proposal is now under review.
