Tararua dairy farmers stuck in limbo over rules

Tararua dairy farmers are beginning to get busy with calving, while still uncertain about new One Plan requirements.

Tararua dairy farmers remain in limbo, waiting for Horizons Regional Council to announce how they will meet the new One Plan conditions set down by the Environment Court.

Two-thirds of dairy farmers stopped in their One Plan consent process after the Environment Court found in favour of Fish & Game and Environmental Defence Society against Horizons Regional Council are in the Tararua.

But Tararua Federated Farmers president Neil Filer said although uncertainty hung over farmers, adding more pressure for them, he was urging them to be patient and just concentrate on calving.

"We're working on it [One Plan] behind the scenes and it's important farmers look after themselves, their families and their stock and let us deal with the One Plan issues," he said.

And Eketahuna dairy farmer and Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis said she'd rather be in limbo than go through the process flawed.

"Horizons have returned the farmers' consent fee, but dairy farmers have still spent money preparing their consent," she said.

"This is quite a challenging time."

With our district's dairy farmers beginning to tackle calving, it was just another stress for them at a critical time in their farming season, Mrs Collis said.

"I've looked at my own farm and the implications of the Environment Court ruling and it will be a challenge."