Bold new direction for high country

Federated Farmers is welcoming the new direction set out yesterday by the National Government for the South Island high country.

“At last we have a guarantee that Crown pastoral land will be put to good use and not just left in mothballs,” says Graham Reed, Federated Farmers High Country chairperson.

“The new policy, Crown Pastoral Land - 2009 and Beyond, will help restore confidence in high country pastoral use and the economic benefits that come with it. It also goes some way towards rebuilding farmers’ relationship with the Crown after several tough years under the previous Government.

“Its three new objectives - stewardship, economic use and relationships - acknowledge high country farming’s contribution to both the economy and environment. These objectives also recognise that agriculture and conservation can co-exist and that farmers, as stewards of the land, are well placed to manage the high country. This is affirmed by the Government’s commitment to setting pastoral lease rents based on the earning capacity of a property.

“Farmers have always worked hard to maintain the pastoral and inherent values of the high country and finally we have a strategy that reflects this. It is now up to the Crown to ensure it continues to maintain high country land that has been protected in the public interest. In other words, the Crown must play the role of ‘a good neighbour’.

“This includes clearing Crown land of pests and weeds to protect biodiversity and reduce the risk of fire. As caretakers of the land, high country farmers look forward to working with the Crown to address these issues.

“While we are relieved this new policy has allowed lakeside properties to enter tenure review, the Crown’s appeal of the Otago Land Valuation Tribunal’s decision continues to frustrate farmers. It is due to this appeal that uncertainty remains over the basis for increasing rents.

“Despite this uncertainty, I respect the Government’s effort to develop a fair and equitable approach to the management of the high country. Lease holders’ right to farm this iconic area has now been acknowledged and a final outcome is in sight thanks, in no small part, to the High Country Accord,” Mr Reed concluded.