Horticulture New Zealand highlights the need for vegetable growing to be a permitted activity to maintain future viability. Michelle Sands, the manager of strategy and policy at Horticulture New Zealand, emphasizes the urgency of resource management reform. "Without urgent changes in resource management reform, we risk losing a significant portion of our homegrown food supply by 2030," she states. The Resource Management Act decisions will influence regional food production until at least 2030.
Sands advocates for vegetable growing to be a permitted activity, with growers implementing freshwater farm plans to manage environmental risks. "We believe allowing growers permitted activity with a freshwater farm plan will manage the risks to our environment and food supply," she asserts.
John Murphy, chair of Vegetables NZ, calls for a nationwide strategy to safeguard growers and ensure food security. "The current system is broken. Growers are being strangled by regional decisions that take too long, make no sense, and ultimately drive them out of business. This isn't just a grower issue, it's a public health issue," he remarks.
The horticulture sector remains committed to sustainability and responsible production. However, achieving this requires granting vegetable growing permitted activity status. Establishing a National Environmental Standard for Commercial Vegetable Production is proposed, necessitating growers to operate with a freshwater farm plan. This approach aims to support New Zealand growers in providing affordable, nutritious vegetables. "If we want a future where New Zealanders can continue to enjoy affordable, nutritious vegetables, we must support our growers today," Sands concludes.
Source: Farmers Weekly