Another flight planned to assess intensive winter grazing practices

Horizons Regional Council will be doing another flight to get a better look at intensive winter grazing in the region as new rules come into effect.

New intensive winter grazing (IWG) regulations, introduced in 2020 as part of central government freshwater reform, require farmers who do not meet Permitted Activity rules to apply for a resource consent by 1 May 2023 to retain existing use rights. 
 
Horizons regulatory manager Greg Bevin says Horizons will be conducting the flight over parts of the region to get further understanding of how IWG is practiced.  
 
“This flight follows one Horizons conducted in July 2021 to understand the scale and nature of IWG in the region. That flight, focusing on the Rangitīkei, Whangaehu and Turakina river catchments, found no areas of major concern and some examples of good practice. 
 
“As a result of the flight, follow-up site inspections will be undertaken, during which staff will meet and engage with those undertaking IWG practices. However, compliance action will be considered if serious issues are found.”
 
Mr Bevin says the Tararua District will not be part of the flight given the district’s focus on recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle, but reactive monitoring will still take place when required.
 
“We appreciate landowners in Tararua will have additional challenges this winter, given the long-term repairs many will be focusing on. Those wanting information about IWG regulations are more than welcome to get in touch. 
 
Mr Bevin says Horizons’ website has a clear process laid out to support farmers with new regulations, with the council taking a strategically staged approach to issuing consents by prioritising risk and environmental impact.
 
“Horizons has done various pieces of work to increase understanding about how to implement IWG regulations, including building a paddock assessment application, hosting a mock consenting process, on-farm visits and running workshops with industry partners. 
 
“Staff are here to talk with people needing more information about IWG regulations, as well as other regulations related to winter grazing practices.
 
“For example, people break-feeding cattle or deer on pasture must ensure their animals are excluded from waterways on any terrain from 1 July 2023.”
 
More information about IWG, including access to the paddock assessment application and consent application forms, can be found online at bit.ly/IWG-Horizons.