Beef + Lamb farm environment plan template approved
Environment Canterbury announced today its approval of a farm environment plan template for the beef and lamb industry
under the proposed Land & Water Regional Plan.
Acknowledging the quality of the template, Environment Canterbury Chief Executive Bill Bayfield said Beef + Lamb New
Zealand had met all the requirements of Schedule 7 of the proposed Land & Water Regional Plan.
“We hope the farm environment plans that come from this template are valuable both for farmers and for Beef + Lamb,” Mr
Bayfield said. “It was pleasing to see the Farm Environment Plan Assessment Panel commending the quality of the
application and in particular the guidance notes and positive messages accompanying the template and dovetailing into
the existing land and environment plan format.
“The Land & Water Regional Plan is a primary delivery mechanism of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy,” Mr Bayfield said. “It
is reassuring to see in this template a methodology that will enable development of plans identifying actual and
potential environmental effects and risks to properties, addresses those effects and risks, and has a high likelihood of
appropriately avoiding, remedying or mitigating them.”
Under the proposed Land & Water Regional Plan, a farm environment plan will need to be produced in any circumstances where an application for
consent to farm is required.
“There are several situations where a consent will be required at different times in future, depending on how at risk
water quality is in the zone where the property is located,” Mr Bayfield said.
“Irrespective of the rules, we encourage all farmers to prepare farm environment plans. They will help identify
environmental and business risks and planning for their management. International markets are increasingly demanding
proven sustainability, and farm environment plans are one way to demonstrate this.”
Under Schedule 7 of the proposed Land & Water Regional Plan, farm environment plans can be prepared either by landowners themselves or via industry-prepared
templates and guidance material.
Minimum content is specified, and all farm environment plans must include an assessment of the adverse environmental
effects and risks associated with the farming activities and how those effects and risks will be managed, including
irrigation, application of nutrients, effluent application, stock exclusion from waterways, offal pits and farm rubbish
pits. Farm environment plans must be auditable.
For more information on the proposed Land & Water Regional Plan, go to www.ecan.govt.nz/lwrp
For information on Beef + Lamb New Zealand, go to www.beeflambnz.com
ends