Clearing land

Press, 7 June 1980, Page 14

Clearing land

Sir, — The loss of native forests and scrublands has long passed a reasonable compromise. The Banks Peninsula loss was nearly total, leaving some native bird species in a precarious position. While some farmers offer bush remnants as reserves, the Rural Bank, by offering taxpayers’ money on generous terms, encourages others to destroy bush they may otherwise leave intact. ..The Pigeon Bay clearing reflects ill upon the bank’s field advisory officers. The Rural Bank has ignored the Government environmental impact reporting procedures and foists conservation responsibilities on to the farmer who is by now more likely to be interested in financial factors. What are the environmental constraints? Nationally, catchment authority protection for bush has been minimal. The secrecy of the loan applications means that botanic values, wildlife and scenery do not stand a chance. Why cannot loan approval be conditional upon inspection and a favourable report by. the Wildlife Division and D.S.I.R. Botany Division officers? — Yours, etc. B. A. CALDER. . May 26, 1980. [Mr 8.. E Atkins, acting manager, Rural Banking and Finance Corporation of New Zealand, replies: “The bank offers financial assistance to farmers, fishermen and rural industries for a number of purposes, many of which require the consent or approval of a local or national authority. Such authorities have power vested in them under various statutes to control the actions of the people. On the other hand, the Rural Bank is a financial servicing organisation.with no statutory authority to prevent or direct the actions of farmers, and any attempt td turn it into a policing or controlling organisation would be construed as an unwarranted interference in the rights of the. farmer to manage his land within the limitations currently imposed by legislation and a needless extension of the bureaucracy, The Rural Bank jealously guards the confidentiality of its. dealings with its clients and it is in these circumstances that the bank is not prepared to act as informer to other organisations but advises a borrower of his or her obligations. An indication of the Rural Bank’s general attitude to conservation can be gained from the following extract from the brochure providing information about the Land Development Encouragement Loan Scheme: •It is the responsibility of the farmer before submitting the application to obtain all necessary permits, authorities and clearances from the appropriate local br national bodies concerned with soil and water control, drainage, conservation, land use planning, etc. Intending applicants as custodians of. the land for the time being are reminded of the need to .consider such matters as pre-

servatiori of historic places, wildlife habitat,. scenic features, native forest species; flora, fauna and natural state areas’.”]