On October 24 there was a farming symposium in Te Puke to discuss the new regulations set to ensure our environment is better looked after for future generations.

That is a step in the right direction and if it was not for this government and public pressure I doubt this meeting would have taken place.

I also commend the few farmers who picked up the gauntlet and started well before regulations are in place, however there are those at that meeting who believe that farmers alone who know their land can do change without regulations including Todd Muller and the National party. It shows strongest in their term of government where they had no interest in this issue and still don't and use politicking to find a way to flow around the issue.

They have been forced to work with James Shaw and it has people taking action and they are now talking, and it will be regulation that will force the diehard money-driven sector to play ball. At the end of the day the farmer or grower may own the land but everyone owns the environment and waterways.

They showed no interest in the past and this issue would not exist now if they had have. Good on the coalition Government for the environment regulations, and this change also applies to towns and cities.

R Stewart, Te Puke.