Brash will protect private property rights

National Party leader Don Brash has given farmers an absolute assurance that a National Government will preserve their right to determine who has access to their land and under what circumstances.

He made the announcement as part of National's agricultural policy launch at Fieldays this morning.

"This is the single biggest issue facing farmers and Labour knows it. That's why Jim Sutton and Helen Clark are trying so desperately to sweep it under the carpet until after the election.

"Labour wants to take this off the agenda because they know it is a gross infringement of the rights of farmers and they know they can't afford a repeat of the fart tax furore.

"This is the worst kind of legislation. It removes the fundamental right for land owners to determine who comes on to their property.

"Labour is under increasing pressure to exempt Maori land from these access provisions, and John Tamihere points out that any 'drongo' can see that it puts Labour in a no win situation.”

Dr Brash says most farmers are happy for responsible hunters, trampers and recreational fishers to cross their land after seeking permission.

"The protection of private property rights is at the core of any true democracy. National will not allow those rights to be trampled on, nor will we allow the safety and security of stock, lives and rural families to be compromised.

"Only a change of government will ensure farmers continue to have the right to deny access to their privately owned land. And National is the only party that can change this Government," says Dr Brash.

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