A stoush between Southland Farmers and Fish & Game has ramped up after a legal ruling over farm discharge.
Environment Southland - the regional council - wanted to put a rule in its land and water plan that would allow for some discharge on farms, but that was overruled in the High Court and Court of Appeal, which found it did not comply with the Resource Management Act.
The regional council says the decision likely means nearly all Southland farmers would need to apply for resource consent to keep farming lawfully.
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has called the situation unworkable, and the issue will be addressed in RMA reform, which the Government expects to have passed into legislation before the next election in 2026.
Fish & Game Southland, along with Forest and Bird, were the parties that challenged the council's rules in the courts.
That has irked the Southland branch of Federated Farmers, which is now telling members to remove anglers' access through farms to waterways.
Fish & Game chief executive Corina Jordan and Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick speak to Kathryn about the situation.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
