Investigating The Relationship Between The Loss Of Social Licence To Farm And The Development Of Regulation

The term ‘social licence’ is often used to describe a type of ‘informal permit’ which communities may issue for a certain activity to take place. There is a multitude of literature which emphasizes the need for a social licence to operate (SLO) within primary industries. In Aotearoa New Zealand, issues associated with freshwater pollution have been a focal point for challenges to the social licence for agriculture. In August 2020, the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Freshwater) Regulations 2020 (NES-FW) were released, with subpart 3 being specifically related to Intensive Winter Grazing (IWG) activities. This signposted the start of IWG regulation in Aotearoa, an activity which had not previously been regulated. Consequently, if agricultural operators do not meet the permitted activity status for IWG within the NES-FW, they require a resource consent. Prior to the implementation of these guidelines, the public perspective on IWG based on a multitude of media articles was critical. This indicates that the SLO to undertake IWG activities may have been compromised. Given the IWG regulations have only recently come into force, the true ramifications of these regulations on both SLO and IWG activities is largely unknown. However, the effectiveness of these regulations have been questioned, with some experts anticipating that IWG activities will remain unchanged. This raises the question; how has the SLO changed due to the presence of regulation, when the activity itself may not have changed? Drawing on interviews and survey responses, this research explores the relationship between the social licence to farm in peri- urban areas and statutory/regulatory change in New Zealand. The IWG regulations under the NES-FW may be aimed at addressing concerns that are critical for maintaining a SLO. However, findings from previous research suggests that SLO and environmental improvements cannot be obtained through regulation alone, and therefore the relationships between regulation and SLO should be more carefully considered.