‘Farming interests ignored’

Press, 1 June 1985, Page 13

‘Farming interests ignored’

PA Dunedin Government insensitivity to agricultural interests was highlighted in its approach to reforming environmental administration under 'the new Ministry ' for the Environment, said the president of Federated Farmers, Mr Peter Elworthy. He told the federation’s Otago provincial conference in Dunedin that the Cabinet would consider a report which effectively gave voice to every conservationist and recreational group but al-

most completely ignored farming interests. “Both the O.E.C.D. and the federation emphasised the integration of conservation and land development use,” he said. “I have seen a copy of this report and its recommendation and I am appalled at the lack of consultation on something that will affect such a substantial proportion of leaseholders.” One of the proposed bodies would have a single federation nominee, but the

proposed council for environment quality would have no land-users as councillors, Mr Elworthy said. Federation leaders had met Government representatives, he said, “to express our deep concern about so precipitate a move without consultation and we will be protesting this in the strongest terms.” The Otago conference passed a remit calling for the report to be opened up for public discussion before further action is taken.