ARC compliance upsets farmers

Image Gallery: Tomarata farmer Brian Mason estimates he has about 10 kms of gullies and waterways on his 500 hectare dairy and beef property, which he has spent “a fortune” on fencing off and replanting. “The difficulty farmers are facing is that we’re being asked to meet an ever increasing list of inconsistent rules and regulations.”

The increasing costs involved in meeting Auckland Regional Council compliance rules and regulations is expected to create some heated debate at a meeting in Wellsford this month.

Although the meeting is being organised by farmers, they say anyone who is struggling to understand and interpret these rules is welcome to attend.

The meeting will be held at the Wellsford Community Centre on July 19 at 7.30pm.

Two of the organisers are Hoteo North farmer Gordon Levet and Tomarata farmer Brian Mason (pictured).

Mr Mason says the ARC needs to provide clear guidelines on issues such as effluent management, feed pad and standoff facilities, silage pits, calf housing, nutrient budgets, weed spray application and water management.

As an example, he says he has been told he has to concrete his silage pits to stop them leaching into a nearby stream. He says the cost is likely to be about $70,000, although there’s no proof that the pits are causing a problem.

“If I have to start baling the silage, it will cost me an additional $25,000 a year,” he says.

“This is just one example of many. The rules seem very open to interpretation and often, the field staff don’t appear to have any knowledge of how a working farm operates and the financial constraints farmers work under. It’s as if they have a ‘wish list’ which we’re expected to fulfil but when you ask for clarification on exactly what the rules state, you can never get an answer.”

Mr Levet says these compliance issues are affecting the wider rural community, with less growth, employment and progress.

He says Fonterra has contracted the ARC to action environmental regulations on their behalf.

“However, it would appear that the complaint officers have had no training in public relations and have little understanding of the practical and financial skills required to manage a farm or business,” he says.

On the agenda for discussion at this month’s meeting will be the suggestion of an appropriate audit and testing system, particularly in relation to environmental issues.

Other members of the organising committee are John Turner, Greg McCracken and Neil Jones.

Related story: Dairy farm ARC compliance rates increase