Untangling red tape job for consultants

By IRENE CHAPPLE

The red-tape smothered aquaculture industry was yesterday promised a bevy of consultants to deal with bureaucrats.

Industry New Zealand announced at the Seafood Industry Council conference in Wellington that it will provide money for up to five experts to help resolve regulatory issues clogging the industry.



But the offer was met with some cynicism by delegates. One delegate said the idea was supported, but needed to be more "crisp".

The announcement came after months of industry disquiet. Some aquaculture operators believe the Government's two-year moratorium on new marine farms, begun late last year, is likely to last to six years.

An outcry over bureaucratic hold-ups has already made the Government back down on its cut-off date for new marine farms. A blanket rule over applications in the system was eased to allow partially processed applications to continue.

Industry New Zealand sector specialist Evan Morch said a group of 11, including representatives from the Aquaculture Council, Te Ohu Kai Moana, Government and regional councils would try to clarify the issues over the next fortnight.

"The [aquaculture] industry is very disparate at the moment," said Morch.

"They need to come together and focus on a collaborative group."

Morch would not comment on how much was being allocated - to avoid price setting by potential employees - but the industry says it is hoping for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The consultants, who may come from overseas, could be of use in helping regional councils identify aquaculture management areas.

Such assistance at regional council level could speed the lifting of the aquaculture moratorium.

A spokesman for Industry New Zealand Minister Jim Anderton's office said about $5 million was allocated for growth industries. About 10, including aquaculture, had been identified.