This page will help you understand the regulations from the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater that relate to stockholding and feedlots.  

Stock holding areas have been defined in the rules as areas for holding cattle at a density that means pasture can’t be maintained.  They don’t include areas like stockyards, milking sheds and wintering barns.   

There are 3 different rules that allow for this activity to undertaken as a permitted activity, where you won’t need a consent for the stockholding area. 

• Stockholding areas for small and young cattle are a permitted activity.   
• The stockholding area for larger and older cattle need to be on a sealed base and effluent that accumulates there needs to be collected and stored for later disposal.  It needs to be at least 50m away from waterbodies, drains, water abstractions and bores and the Coastal Marine Area. 
• Managing the risks to the environment from the stockholding area, is part of the Freshwater Farm Plan. 

If you operate a stockholding area, you may need a resource consent if you cannot meet the standards set out above.  You may also need a resource consent for the disposal of effluent. 

Feedlots are defined in the rules as stock holding areas that are used for more than 80 days.   

If you operate a feedlot area, you may need a resource consent if you cannot meet the standards set out above.  You may also need a resource consent for the disposal of effluent. 

There are 3 different rules that allow for this activity to undertaken as a permitted activity, where you won’t need a consent for the stockholding area. 

• Stockholding areas for small and young cattle are a permitted activity.   
• The stockholding area for larger and older cattle need to be on a sealed base and effluent that accumulates there needs to be collected and stored for later disposal.  It needs to be at least 50m away from waterbodies, drains, water abstractions and bores and the Coastal Marine Area. 
• Managing the risks to the environment from the stockholding area, is part of the Freshwater Farm Plan.