With the submission deadline for the Government's draft National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity fast approaching, Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers is encouraging all local farmers to attend a meeting on the subject.

The meeting, hosted by Rotorua and Taupō Federated Farmers, will be held this Thursday at the St Johns Training Room on 35 Pereika St, Rotorua.

Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers president Darryl Jensen says making positive biodiversity gains without isolating landowners in the process is possible, but he is concerned the proposed policy may not achieve this.

'Under this draft legislation, areas of native vegetation and regenerating native bush could be classified as Significant Natural Areas, which could impact a landowner's future ability to use that land in a different way.

'This will have particular impact for landowners with areas like wetlands that are threatened ecosystems, but has potential to extend to sites which are not rare and threatened such as regenerating kānuka and mānuka, which has ecological value as a successional species.”

Darryl says submissions will help ensure an ideal outcome – for both farmers and biodiversity – can be achieved.

'I know people may be feeling burnt out from the regulations that have been coming at us left, right and center over the past couple of years, but I urge people to find the time to make submissions. It's the only way to take control and ensure the decision makers in Wellington are fully aware of where the burden falls.”

NPSIB submissions close on Saturday, March 14, at 7pm.

To make a submission, email indigenousbiodiversity@mfe.govt.nz, use the online submission tool, or post it to the Biodiversity Team, Ministry for the Environment, PO Box 10 362, Wellington 6143.

Darryl encourages anyone who can't attend the meeting to phone Federated Farmers, 0800 327 646, or visit the Federated Farmers website for more information.