August 16, 2016

AgFirst farm environment plan template approved

Environment Canterbury today announced its approval of an electronic farm environment plan template for AgFirst and FarmIQ under the Land & Water Regional Plan, the fifteenth template it has approved.

Environment Canterbury Chief Executive Bill Bayfield said that as well as meeting all the requirements of Schedule 7 of the Land & Water Regional Plan, the template was a good example of responsiveness to changes to that plan at both regional and sub-regional levels.

“We were pleased to see options for additional criteria for future proofing,” Mr Bayfield said. “Schedule 7 is subject to several proposed changes set out in the Nutrient Management and Waitaki Plan Change, also known as Plan Change 5, including the addition of matters set out in sub-regional plans. These include identification of features such as flood protection works and public access, and management of phosphorus risk zones and sites with mahinga kai.”

Erica van Reenen of Agfirst said the company worked hard to make sure specific planning requirements were met in the template called “Landbase”, which is also available with some FarmIQ packages.

“Farmers can access technical and help-line support so they can complete the template themselves – and keep up to date with Good Management Practice requirements – or AgFirst can help them,” Ms van Reenen said.

“There is good connectivity with existing land base and mapping databases and proposed interaction with OVERSEER®. Options for farmers with poorer internet access are also available. There are prompts for farmers to complete agreed actions and ability for auditors to have temporary internet access to records. The tool also allows farmers to hold all of their information in one location and easily keep it up to date online or using the supporting app.”

The Land & Water Regional Plan is a primary delivery mechanism of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. “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,” Mr Bayfield said.

Under the 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 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 the AgFirst template, go to www.agfirst.co.nz/landbase

For other approved templates, www.ecan.govt.nz/environment-plan

For more information on the Land & Water Regional Plan, www.ecan.govt.nz/lwrp

ends

© Scoop Media