MAF urges disaster recovery message on the farm

Farmers are being told they need to be prepared for whatever unforeseen event may come their way.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) says rural New Zealand needs a process for recovering from the effects of adverse events on commercial agriculture, horticulture, viticulture and forestry properties.

The aim of the review of the On-farm Adverse Events Recovery Framework is to promote a shared understanding of the roles and responsibilities of central government, local government and the primary production sector in preparing for, and recovering from, adverse events.

Adverse events are severe climatic events or natural disasters that are beyond the ability of individual communities to cope with.

MAF has today released a public discussion document, Building Resilience, which sets out policy options for how the new system could work.

MAF Policy's North Island Manager Phil Journeaux says the Ministry wants the framework to be effective and comprehensive. "In order to achieve this we need input from people who live in rural areas, work in the primary sector or have experience of adverse events," he says.

Mr Journeaux says MAF is particularly interested in hearing about how well recent recovery responses have worked, what the Government should provide after a large-scale adverse event; and when the Government should get involved (ie the defining criteria for help).

"MAF has already received constructive input from industry groups and local government into the development of the discussion document. Now it's vital we hear from those who are 'hands-on' in the productive industries."