1. Question No. 1—EnvironmentMARK CAMERON (ACT) to the Associate Minister for the EnvironmentORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Environment1. MARK CAMERON (ACT) to the Associate Minister for the Environment: What announcements has he made recently regarding reducing the regulatory burden on primary industries?Hon ANDREW HOGGARD (Associate Minister for the Environment): [Associate Minister Hoggard is wearing an eye patch] Ahoy Mr Speaker. [Interruption]. Thank you Mr Speaker. With my two-eyed colleagues the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform I announce that the Government will introduce legislation to remove the low-slope map from stock exclusion regulations and repeal winter grazing regulations. These targeted changes are part of an important part of the coalition's commitment to allow farmers to get back to farming without unnecessary red tape. We're working hard on better ways for farmers to manage environmental impacts through freshwater farm plans.Mark Cameron: How will these proposed changes help farmers?Hon ANDREW HOGGARD: For stock exclusion the existing rules have a map that identifies low-slope land where beef cattle and deer will have to be fenced off from water bodies. This low-slope map has proven problematic creates a huge expense for some farmers with minimal practical or environmental benefits. This is why we are removing it. We're also proposing to remove the conditions for winter grazing and regulation while still requiring practical steps to be taken to minimise effects on fresh water. There has already been significant improvement in winter grazing and practice supported by sector groups and local councils. Mark Cameron: What is the Minister working on to let farmers get back to farming productively and sustainably?Hon ANDREW HOGGARD: As a priority we're working on improvements to freshwater farm plans to make them less costly and complex for farmers. We know farm plans are a good idea—they allow farmers to find the right solutions for their farm and their catchment—but they don't need to be as onerous as the system that was introduced by the previous Government. That's why we will shift to an approach that matches risk with cost.Mark Cameron: How does this align with the proposed changes to stock exclusion and winter grazing?Hon ANDREW HOGGARD: We are working on an enduring and robust farm plan system that councils and communities can rely on where practical on-farm solutions can stand as an alternative for a range of local rules and consents. This will help avoid the need for blunt national regulations. I believe that good quality farm plans that don't cost the earth can be a practical solution for identifying and managing a range of environmental impacts.Hon Damien O'Connor: Has the Minister read the New Zealand-EU free-trade agreement (FTA) that includes legally binding provisions to provide for a high-level of environmental protection and continue to improve environmental protections" and "not to weaken reduce waive or otherwise derogate from environmental laws to encourage trade or investment"; if so what does he think?Hon ANDREW HOGGARD: Well I have read the New Zealand-EU FTA and what I would say is that I had a really great presentation last week showing the difference in water quality between New Zealand and the EU which showed we are miles ahead of many areas in our water quality than the EU."