Vegetable growers are optimistic that government reforms to the Resource Management Act will make regulations less cumbersome and will make vegetable growing a permitted activity.
John Murphy, the chair of Vegetables NZ, said growers, including in key growing areas such as Horowhenua and North Waikato, have been weighed down by ongoing litigation over the interpretation of regulations, which creates uncertainty.
"Yesterday [Thursday May 29] was a very clear signal from the government that supplies of fresh, healthy vegetables need to be a priority and when we are using good practices that look after the environment, we should be backed."
The government is seeking submissions on proposed changes to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM), the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater that guide how councils develop and implement plans and rules.
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