Supplied by Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers has successfully fought to keep a farmer representative on a key Taranaki Regional Council committee, overturning a controversial earlier decision.

"We’re thrilled the council has recognised how important it is to have practical, on-the-ground knowledge at the table when shaping decisions that affect the region," Federated Farmers Taranaki president Leedom Gibbs says.

"Taranaki Regional Council’s earlier decision was unfair and made without warning or consultation, overlooking a community whose work underpins the local economy.

"But credit to them - they’ve recognised the value of Federated Farmers and reversed their earlier stance."

In the first week of November, the newly elected council ended Federated Farmers’ representation on the Operations and Regulatory Committee, which oversees resource consents and compliance monitoring.

"This is a working arrangement that’s served the region well for more than 30 years - and to say farmers were disappointed is a huge under-statement," Gibbs says.

"The council has a strong track record of ‘working with people’, and the November decision was a serious slip-up and disservice to the rural community."

At a council meeting yesterday, attended by Federated Farmers Taranaki leaders and members, a clear majority of councillors voted to again offer a seat on the committee to a Federated Farmers representative.

This came after a motion from second-term councillor Donna Cram.

The seat will be held by Nick Brown, Federated Farmers Taranaki meat and wool chair.

"Nick and family members won the 2020 Ballance Farm Environment Award for Taranaki, and he and his partner Sophie have just won Taranaki Regional Council’s Environmental Leadership in Farming Award," Gibbs says.

"So, we couldn’t ask for a better farmer to speak up for us around the council table.

"This hiccup in the relationship with the regional council is behind us.

"Through Nick, we’re looking forward to our continued work with Taranaki councillors to achieve the best outcomes for the environment, food production and local jobs."