“On the face of it, there have been some substantial changes and it looks like there has been a genuine move to redress the many concerns Federated Farmers felt,” says Gordon McKellar, Federated Farmers Manawatu/Rangitikei President.

“I think it’s an understatement to say this plan is vastly complex.

“I wish to publicly thank the invaluable role played by the panel of Independent Commissioners, chairperson Joan Allin and Rob van Voorthuysen who were supported by councillors Meads and White.

“They had a huge task to challenge the very costly ‘avalanche of evidence’ as it was described, that was presented by Horizons Regional Council. They have brought common sense with what is likely to be, workable rules on environmental improvement.

“I’d also like to thank the members of Federated Farmers and our professional policy staff who, over a number of years, have put countless hours of effort into One Plan.

“It will be weeks rather than days before we can determine if an appeal is warranted and on what basis. That said, we thank Horizons for granting 60 days to appeal as opposed to the mandatory 30 days,” Mr McKellar added.

Federated Farmers Tararua President, John Barrow, also acknowledged it will take some time to digest the ramifications but sees some positives.

“What Federated Farmers wants to achieve is outcomes based policy, instead of instituting process for the sake of instituting process. It’s about practical stuff that achieves an environmental outcome because we see this approach working in other regions,” says Mr Barrow.

“For instance, Federated Farmers welcomes the prospect of ‘field consents’ that will save on paperwork by putting both parties on the spot where they can see and talk about an issue, with a yes or no right there and then.