ACT Invites PM To See Southern Drought
Tuesday 20 Jan 2004 Gerry Eckhoff Press Releases -- Rural
ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today wrote to Prime Minister Helen Clark requesting that both
she, and Conservation Minister Chris Carter, visit the South Island's drought affected areas.
"Government policy, both past and present, is impacting on farmers' ability to plan for future droughts," Mr Eckhoff
said.
"There is little that can be done immediately, but much can be done to alleviate the impacts of legislation - such as
the Resource Management Act - on farmers' ability to drought-proof their properties through water harvesting and
storage.
"The Department of Conservation's control of valuable high altitude grazing lands - due to the Crown Pastoral Lands Act
- is also adding to the severe grazing pressure right throughout the South Island east of the main divide.
"It's essential that urban decision-makers get a first hand view of the effects of legislation on land-based industry,
especially during these very difficult summer droughts," Mr Eckhoff said.
ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.