16 Dec 2019
Better guidelines on burning crop residue are being developed, following a number of concerns in the Waimate area.
Crop burning concerns
Crop residue burning (also known as stubble burning) plays an important role in New Zealand’s cropping systems.
Our South Canterbury Operations Manager, Judith Earl-Goulet, said that while the activity is permitted in Waimate under
the Canterbury Air Regional Plan (CARP), it does regularly cause concern amongst members of the public.
Reports of ‘out of control’ fires and concerns about smoke, ash and visibility, are common through the late summer.
While the fires are generally well-controlled, and this is a permitted activity under the regional plan, there can be a
substantial impact in our community, and greater awareness of the far-reaching impact of ash and smoke effects beyond
the site of burning would be useful.
Developing crop burning guidelines
A meeting to discuss these issues was recently held between representatives from Fire Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), Federated Farmers, Timaru and Waimate District Council, the Foundation of Arable Research and Environment
Canterbury.
It highlighted that while the Foundation of Arable Research provides a practical code of good management practice for
its member farmers, such as having a FENZ permit and smoke management plan, there were opportunities for the provision
of more, far-reaching information.
This would be provided to both those who undertake crop residue burning and those impacted by it, to address frequent
misunderstandings about what is or is not acceptable.
Judith Earl-Goulet said that this summer, the agencies will work together to upskill and inform both groups in the
practice and management of crop residue burning.
“We are taking the community’s concerns seriously and will be looking at increased, proactive communication ahead of the
season, and exploring monitoring options to understand localised effects and patterns of smoke and ash distributions,”
she said.
Where crop burning is permitted
There are two designated crop residue burning buffer zones in the Canterbury Air Regional Plan. Inside these Ashburton
and Timaru buffer zones, anyone wanting to carry out crop residue burning must have a resource consent.
Outside of the buffer zones, including in Waimate, crop residue burning may be carried out, provided a smoke management
plan is completed.
ends