Attending to the Environmental Issues That Threaten the Industry

Resourcing NZAAA

J Maber October 2009

The following table identifies the actions NZAAA should be taking at an industry wide level as part of a considered strategy. It is based around identification of those issues which pose the greatest risk to the industry and shows what resources NZAAA will need to access in the years ahead. To be profitable as an operator is an assumed requirement but one which (I think) is beyond the mandate or direct influence of NZAAA as the industry body.

1. Attending to the RMA and environmental issues that present a risk to the industry

Issue Risk to industry What’s needed? Actions for AAA Other parties Tools Water quality - Non compliance Ensuring Regional Plan Engagement with Regional Councils Technology eg contaminants into with Regional requirements are Councils in Regional GPS GIS maps water: Plans could lead reasonable and reflect Plan development ERMA to enforcement industry best practice Verification of task Fertiliser action or a Providing information to DOC – Documentation Agrichemicals consent being Industry operating Regional Councils eg AHB and records VTA required for aerial standards recognised Demonstration days, application by regulators Best Practice Guidelines Task specification (information Air quality – Pilot knowledge of, and Facilitating the upskilling Pilots requirements) compliance with of pilots about Regional agrichemical Regional Plan Plan requirements and Annual Conference spraydrift, requirements relevant information Clients requirements from Website Fert/ lime dust clients Newsletters

Application precision Advocacy with industry Fert Quality Council Spreadmark COP reps to ensure specified Fert companies NZS8409 Issue Risk to industry What’s needed? Actions for AAA Other parties Tools  Particle /drop size requirements are met Individual operators VTA COP eg Fert granulation NZAET Accreditation  Target Facilitating information to identification clients about product Application equipment Training courses  Specified quality and benefits to be manufacturers (eg e.g Ag Rating information from achieved nozzles) Chemical Rating the client Ground crew Clients Operating standards Vegetation Non compliance Pilot knowledge of, and Providing information to Regional Council GIS GPS clearance with Regional compliance with, pilots on regional plan Plans could lead Regional Plan vegetation clearance Pilots Regional Plans to enforcement requirements. rules may set limits on action or consent e.g Plan summaries Clients extent of areas to required for aerial be cleared through application chemical means. Noise Difficulties with Assurance that any Watching brief to ensure District Councils Website consent noise levels thresholds that additional District Plans can applications for set in relation to regulations are not Newsletters control noise operating bases. helicopter use are promulgated. levels associated reasonable and with takeoff and Higher level of achievable. landing only. regulation around helicopter use for frost protection. 2. Improving industry safety standards and saving lives

Issue Risk to industry What’s needed? Actions for AAA Other parties Tools Safe practice Loss of life Rules – An appropriate Involvement in CAA Injury regulatory environment development of regulations Loss of income Compliance – Systems Assist in development of Individual operators Fuel storage and to demonstrate air Operations Manuals for handling COP worthiness and operators (basis for audits) compliance with rules Health and Safety Develop Ops Manual COP Use of tamper proof (SMS) template time and service Tamper proof time recorder clocks

Audits and inspections Working with CAA for CAA reasonable and complementary audit processes and systems

Certificates, licences Engage with CAA in CAA and ratings: determining requirements Individual operators CAR Pt 137 Cert Identify need for relevant Ag Rating (inc chemical certificates dependent of ERMA/ Test rating) activities undertaken Certifiers Controlled Substances Licence (VTA’s)

Training Facilitation, content and Accredited training Training COP delivery of appropriate providers training courses to enable (GROWSAFE) certificates etc to be Issue Risk to industry What’s needed? Actions for AAA Other parties Tools obtained E CAT instructors Individual operators Ground/ support crew Training training organisations (GROWSAFE) Safe operating Damage and loss Guidelines / standards Strengthen ability to Clients and Topdressing environment of life Operating facilities eg enforce standards – representative orgs. Guideline Airstrips industry self administration (Inc DOC, farmers, growers, foresters)

Transport operators Product suppliers Pilots Dept of Labour Safe use of Products used Meeting HSNO Facilitation, content and ERMA products have hazardous requirements – delivery of appropriate Clients and properties Training and relevant training courses to enable representative orgs. certificates certificates etc to be (Inc DOC, farmers, Damage to life and obtained growers, foresters) the environment ACVM

Product suppliers Pilots 3. Promoting and carrying out research and development

Issue Risk to industry What’s needed? Actions for AAA Who with Tools Best practice Practices followed standards are outdated and Research objectives Active processes and FRST inappropriate procedures to identify, Funding prioritise and advocate Research providers: Loss of credibility selected projects domestically and Identified and relevant Massey internationally projects Preparation of research Lincoln Ventures (markets) proposals MAF Policy Management of secured projects NZTE Being an effective lobby group on behalf of members

Issues Risk to industry What’s needed? Actions for AAA Who with Available tools

Industry cohesion - Encouraging members to realize that whilst some may think they operate in isolation they are actually part of a large and integrated industry

Encouraging members to operate their businesses in a profitable manner