The Southland Fish & Game Council (F&G) is to withdraw from the Environment Court proceedings regarding Rule 24 of the Southland Land and Water Plan.

Southland F&G, along with Forest & Bird, had successfully brought a case to the Environment Court that may have resulted in resource consents being required for incidental diffuse discharges from farming activities.

The decision prompted not only an unsuccessful appeal by Environment Southland but also heated calls from Federated Farmers Southland to boycott Southland F&G and remove fishing access.

Invercargill MP, and Environment Minister, Penny Simmonds said at the time that the decision would make the law unworkable and promised that the government would be fixing the situation through amendments to the Resource Management Act.

Southland F&G regional chairman, Dave Macgregor, said the court case had been running since 2016, and in that time the Government has significantly changed the law around freshwater management.

"It's time to draw a line under this extended legal process and focus on the future.

“The legal proceedings will continue with or without Fish & Game's involvement, and we will be watching any developments closely to ensure the outcomes deliver meaningful improvements for water quality in Southland.

“Southland Fish & Game remains concerned about degraded water quality in the region and wants to see Environment Southland take decisive action to ensure genuine improvements are achieved.”

Under the Conservation Act 1987, Fish & Game has a clear advocacy function to stand up for the interests of anglers and hunters, and the habitats of salmonids and game birds.

“This withdrawal from court proceedings does not diminish our commitment to these responsibilities,” said Mr Macgregor.

"The majority of New Zealanders want action to improve water quality, and we share that goal.

"We believe we can have healthy freshwater, thriving communities and a prosperous economy - but this requires practical rules to improve water quality over time.

“We will continue to advocate for robust environmental bottom lines that provide healthy habitats for sports fish and game birds and a strong and enduring national framework for freshwater management.

“We believe a targeted focus on high-intensity land uses where there is demonstrated detrimental environmental impact is necessary.

“There also needs to be practical and workable rules that deliver better water quality outcomes for communities.

“Our focus now turns to working constructively with Environment Southland and other stakeholders to ensure the region's freshwater resources are properly protected and restored for current and future generations of anglers, hunters and all Southlanders.”