Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds has criticised the Labour government's handling of regulations affecting Southland farmers, accusing them of being "unworkable" and "costly." 

In a statement, Simmonds claims that more than 20 new or amended regulations have been introduced since 2017, with the proposed emissions pricing scheme threatening to close 20% of sheep and beef farms by 2030.

She also accuses the government of imposing "one-size-fits-all rules with massive compliance costs for farmers, often for limited or no environmental gain".

The National Party MP says the government's approach has been to "try and run farming from Wellington" without understanding the needs of rural people or the farming sector in Southland or anywhere else in New Zealand.

However Invercargill's resident Labour list MP, Dr Liz Craig, said the statement that the Government’s proposed emissions pricing scheme will close 20% of sheep and beef farms by 2030 was inaccurate.

The Government’s Pricing Agricultural Emissions Consultation Document modelled that sheep and beef net revenue and production could both drop by about 20 percent, which is similar to what the He Waka Eke Noa proposal said.

The modelling is based on a series of complex assumptions and the Government is funding a range of mitigations which may help in this respect, she said.

Craig said the Government was committed to the primary sector and to helping farmers grow exports, reduce emissions and maintain our international competitive edge.

This is why Budget 2022 included $118.4 million for advisory services to support farmers, foresters and growers to accelerate sustainable land use changes and lift productivity, she said.

Craig cited programs like Thriving Southland, which helped support Southland’s farmer led catchment groups share ideas and practical solutions to improve water quality and environmental outcomes.

However with Southland’s primary industries being heavily reliant on a stable climate, doing our bit to reduce global emissions has never been more important, she said.