Freshwater rule changes suggested 2 minutes to read By: Sally Rae Beef + Lamb New Zealand says the Southland Advisory Group's recommendations on the intensive winter grazing rules offer "practical alternatives to arbitrary rules". The group was asked to look at the implementation of the intensive winter grazing rules within the new National Environmental Standards for Freshwater. It included farmers, and staff from B+LNZ, DairyNZ, Federated Farmers, Fish and Game and Environment Southland. It provided its advice to Environment Minister David Parker and Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor last week. Advertisement In a statement, B+LNZ chairman Andrew Morrison, a Southland farmer, said the Environment Southland-led process had been a highly effective way of addressing major concerns with the new rules, and it was hoped the ministers would accept the recommendations.