The Otago Regional Council (ORC) says farmers should be aware of recently implemented rules relating to rural discharge.

The regional council has ratified changes to the Regional Plan: Water for Otago, which makes operative some key parts of proposed plan change 8 (PC8).

ORC’s policy and science general manager Anita Dawe said PC8 rules - which set minimum standards for animal effluent storage and application, intensive grazing, and the establishment of small in-stream sediment traps - are now operative.

PC8’s key provisions are to further reduce adverse water quality effects, by promoting good farming practices and for use as a guide to decision making on consent applications.

In some rare cases farmers’ consents for existing animal effluent storage may not be required until a later date, she said.

Further PC8 information is available at the ORC website.

Questions about the changes should be directed to [email protected] for more information.

PHOTO: Supplied