Vegetables NZ is welcoming the Government's proposal to ease regulatory pressures on commercial vegetable growers by removing the need for complex and unworkable resource consents. The industry body says the move supports environmental standards while ensuring New Zealanders have continued access to fresh produce.
"This proposal is a major step forward for New Zealand's food security and the health of Kiwis," said Vegetables NZ Chair John Murphy. "Without it, the heart of New Zealand's vegetable growing community was under threat."
Murphy emphasised that taking a national approach and making vegetable growing a permitted activity is vital to the viability of the sector. "It is great that this Government has listened and is taking steps to ensure Kiwis have access to fresh, healthy food like vegetables, now and in the future. The country will be better off in terms of health as well as economic outcomes. Today's announcement gives the commercial vegetable industry the hope it sorely needs."
Vegetables NZ also supports the Government's intent to review and refine the approach to Highly Productive Land (HPL). Murphy said HPL depends on a combination of factors: soil quality, flat terrain, suitable climate, water access, proximity to markets, workforce availability, and the ability to secure farming consents.
"The current National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land protects first-class soils. However, in practice, especially near urban areas, land can become unproductive due to poor planning and boundary issues."
Murphy stressed the need for an integrated approach that protects all the elements contributing to land productivity. "We want to see the Government safeguarding the food supply by maintaining the conditions that make land highly productive. But if those conditions are no longer met, then landowners' property rights must also be protected."
For more information:
Vegetables New Zealand
Tel: +64 21 021 62021
Email: [email protected]
www.freshvegetables.co.nz
