25 September 2013

Dunne Welcomes High Court’s One-plan Decision

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has welcomed the High Court’s decision to reject appeals by Horticulture New Zealand and Federated Farmers against the Manawatu-Whanganui Regional Council’s “One-Plan”.

The One-Plan proposed a comprehensive approach to regulating dairying, sheep and beef farming, cropping and commercial vegetable growing in the region and was objected to essentially on the grounds that it erred too far on the side of environmental protection.

“The High Court’s ruling in favour of the One-Plan is a comprehensive victory for the environment and a major step in the direction of promoting sustainable agriculture.

“It underpins the value of the current principles of the Resource Management Act, and makes it clear why the Government must not water these down in its present attempts to reform the Act,” Mr Dunne says.

Mr Dunne says he was disappointed that DOC was not more active in supporting the One-Plan, given its role as an environmental advocate.

“It was fortunate local anglers and hunters through their local Fish and Game Councils had the resources to take up the case.

“This is an unfortunate parallel with the current Ruataniwha Dam situation where DOC’s attempts to make a comprehensive submission to the board of inquiry have been thwarted.

“Both cases highlight the importance of the current principles of the Resource Management Act and why they must not be watered down, as administrative processes are reformed,” he says.

ENDS

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