Policy

Freshwater Farm Plans are a new tool for freshwater regulation. These require a farm plan tailored to mitigate risks to land and water on farm. Many farmers already have a farm environment plan or are part of an industry programme.

Over the next one to two years, Government officials will work through changes to national freshwater legislation. This is what we know so far. This page will be updated with changes as they become available.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has developed a range of policy proposals to strengthen the biosecurity system and modernise the Biosecurity Act 1993.

The Government has set climate change targets and developed policies to reduce New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate.

The Government is reviewing New Zealand’s gene technology rules. Greater access to these technologies in the future presents both opportunities and risks for the dairy sector.

The Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord was launched in July 2013 and built on the work that began under the Clean Streams Accord.

The national agricultural intensification rules were revoked on 1 January 2025 and are no longer relevant.

Intensive winter grazing (IWG) means the grazing of livestock on an annual forage crop at any time in the period that begins 1 May and ends 30 September of the same year. Generally, winter crops (where fed in situ) come under the IWG regulations.

The regulations set rules which apply to feedlots and other stockholding areas such as feed pads, stand-off pads, winter pads and loafing pads.

Any person who owns or controls stock must follow the stock exclusion rules. Stock must be excluded from rivers, lakes and wetlands within certain timeframes depending on the type of stock, slope, and intensity of grazing.