NZAAA Conference 2010 Making the RMA work for your business Lynette Wharfe The AgriBusiness Group © Coryright The ArgiBusiness Group

Making the RMA work for your business …….and the industry

Your concerns The pilot and operator meetings held earlier this year identified a number of environmental concerns. These include: Noise Notification Discharges to water Spraydrift Powerlines Bunding

Why we need to address these? To be able to operate within a clear and appropriate framework Consistency in how issues are addressed Reduce the risk of complaints Clarity about how complaints are managed Reduce duplication and complexities Reduce compliance costs To make operating easier for you

How can these be addressed? Understanding the system – how the RMA process works Engage with appropriate people Providing information Ensure appropriate and reasonable controls Work together as an industry

How the RMA system works Both Regional Councils and District Councils are responsible for different matters under the RMA The Councils develop plans, in consultation with the community, to identify key issues and ways that they will be managed If an activity is not permitted a resource consent will be required If requirements are not met then enforcement action can be taken

The RMA and aerial operations In layman's terms: You spread fertilisers, sprays and baits from aircraft In RMA terms: You are discharging to air, land or water Such discharges are managed by Regional Councils under the RMA.

The interface with the RMA You also use airstrips and landing bases Land related matters are managed by District Councils This includes all matters while an aircraft is on the ground, such as noise and fuel storage

What ends up in plans will have a significant impact on how you operate An example: For aerial discharges all reasonable measures shall be taken to prevent any discharge of agrichemicals within 20m of any continually flowing river which has a bed width of 3m or more or any lake or wetland which has an area of 1ha or more. Regional and District Plans

Challenges in the plan process Planners don’t necessarily understand aerial operations and requirements The matters can be technical Consultation means that they get a range of messages from a variety of groups – some of which maybe based on perception rather than fact Use different language Can be high turnover of Council staff Councils may not know who to talk to Rules developed for lowest common denominator

What ends up happening Councils Operator Lack of information and inappropriate rules in plans can lead to: Difficult operating environment and regulatory requirements – increased compliance costs Scope for complaints Enforcement action by Councils Tensions

Is there a better way? There has to be! Some suggestions for a way forward: Proactive involvement of industry in plan processes Develop a model rule to use consistently with councils throughout the country Develop materials and educate councils about aerial operations – including practical Demo Days Advocate for the inclusion in plans of NZAAA Accreditation as a basis for aerial operations Your ideas

Using NZAAA Codes of Practice and Accreditation in Regional Plans Provisions in Plans Meeting standards for NZAAA Accreditation incorporated as basis for permitted activity Key issues relating to discharges to air land and water Fertilisers Agrichemicals GROWSAFE ® Spreadmark NZAAA accredited operators could operate as permitted activity If Permitted Activity requirements not met or not NZAAA Accredited then controlled activity consent required Baits Aerial VTA COP NZAAA Accreditation Audit against COP’s

NZGAP is the Quality Assurance programme for the Horticultural industry. Growers are audited against criteria to be accredited. Growers need to be NZGAP accredited to be able to sell produce. The programme can include environmental components to meet council requirements – one auditor through the gate. An industry programme

Other presentations Your questions Your thoughts and ideas Developing an approach to get better outcomes for the industry Where to from here

Contact details Lynette Wharfe Consultant The AgriBusiness Group Ph: