New Zealand's vegetable industry is advocating for the government to emphasize commercial vegetable production in the upcoming freshwater regulations. This appeal comes as the government deliberates on its national freshwater direction amidst reforms to the Resource Management Act and modifications to the national policy statement on freshwater management (NPS FM). The NPS FM, which has seen several revisions since its 2011 inception, plays a crucial role in managing the nation's freshwater resources. A report by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, commissioned by Horticulture New Zealand, suggests that current freshwater policies are impeding commercial vegetable production. The report highlights the potential for skyrocketing consumer prices for fresh produce due to a supply-demand imbalance.
Michelle Sands, Hort NZ's general manager of strategy and policy, pointed out that 80% of domestically consumed vegetables are produced within the country, contrasting with other primary sectors focused on exports. She emphasized the unique impact on vegetable production, noting that supply constraints would lead to price increases for New Zealand consumers. The report also predicts a significant price hike for products like broccoli if production decreases by 20% due to regulations targeting nitrogen run-off. To prevent such outcomes, the government is urged to prioritize the commercial vegetable sector to ensure a stable supply of affordable vegetables.
The report further discusses the disproportionate impact of current regulations on vegetable production relative to its national importance. It critiques the NPS FM's lack of clear direction on national priorities, which could lead to a reduction in vegetable production. Additionally, regional rules on land use, influenced by national freshwater direction, are creating challenges for vegetable production, deemed unviable or marginal in some regions due to costs and uncertainty. The report calls for regional councils to balance local land use effects with the national necessity of a stable vegetable supply, highlighting the unintended consequences of restricting vegetable production.
Sands advocates for national regulations that provide clearer guidance to local decision-makers on natural resource allocation. Despite the National Party's election promise to categorize vegetable growing as a permitted activity under the RMA, Sands notes that this commitment has not been addressed within freshwater reforms. The vegetable sector's call for prioritization underscores the need for regulatory adjustments to support commercial vegetable production and maintain a stable, affordable supply for New Zealand consumers.
Source: The Country