Federated Farmers national president Colin Hurst wants agricultural and environmental policy separated so farming rules can be handled differently, one month into the role.

The arable farmer, who bought a dairy farm at the start of the season, says his first month has been busy and eye-opening.

“Everybody wants to have a discussion with me and catch up, so it’s been really good, and eye-opening,” he says.

He has met the Prime Minister, the opposition and the Greens over the past month.

“Essentially the ag policies… it is related to environmental policies, and I’m really keen that we try and explore how we can separate them out.”

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.