ACT has launched its rural campaign under the banner Making Farming Fun Again, promising less regulation and agriculture permanently outside the Emissions Trading Scheme, agriculture spokesperson Andrew Hoggard says.

He says the next term is what will decide whether the resource management overhaul works.

“Basically we’re back to the RMA under a new name if we just leave it up to the courts and regional councils to decide,” he says.

He says New Zealand should match its climate targets to its trading partners, and that customers, not government, should drive change on farm.

“That’s what markets are for.”

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.

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