Having considered feedback to date, the Government has amended intensive winter grazing regulations in the NES-F to address implementation issues.
Amendment regulations can be viewed here.
The following provides an overview of the key changes:
Timing
Updated regulations will come into effect from 1 November 2022 (not 1 May 2022) and will not impact the 2022 winter grazing season.
Those planning intensive winter grazing operations for the 2023 season, however, will need to become familiar with the new intensive winter grazing regulations and requirements. Existing use rights will not be available for the 2023 season and practices will need to be adjusted to comply with the new regulations.
Slope
Slope is now defined as the maximum slope (i.e. the elevation difference across any 20 metre distance) for any area being used for intensive winter grazing. This replaces the definition of slope as ‘mean slope across a paddock’.
Land with a maximum slope of less than 10 degrees (as defined above) may be used for intensive winter grazing activities, subject to satisfying other conditions. Intensive winter grazing on land with a slope of more than 10 degrees will need either a resource consent or certified freshwater farm plan.
Pugging
Default conditions around pugging have been replaced with a stand-alone duty to take all reasonably practicable steps to minimise the effects of pugging on freshwater.
Sub-surface drains
The definition of drains has been amended to exclude subsurface drains in relation to intensive winter grazing. This means requirement to keep stock at least 5m away from waterways does not apply to subsurface drains.
Resow
Default conditions around resowing have been replaced with a stand-alone duty to establish vegetation as ground cover as soon as practicable after grazing.
Critical source areas
A new default condition has been added around critical source areas. Anyone undertaking intensive winter grazing activities must protect critical source areas – these must be left ungrazed, have vegetation as ground cover, and they must not be cultivated in annual forage crop.