South Canterbury farmer, Jeremy Talbot, says Federated Farmers has finally started supporting farmers in their fight for compensation from Transpower for work on their land.
Transpower is carrying out strengthening work on 150 properties to the foundations of pylons which carry electricity to Christchurch.
Mr Talbot says the federation is now threatening Transpower that it will impose a nationwide lockout from accessing their pylons for maintenance if they don’t negotiate with farmers.
"Federated Farmers is finally telling Transpower today, if the email I have got is correct, either back off and either negotiate or you’ll face a nationwide lockout of vehicles for doing any upgrades."
Mr Talbot says all South Canterbury farmers want is the same deal that farmers are being offered in Otago – a one-off disturbance fee of $4000.
That fee would compensate farmers for the inconvenience of having to rearrange their livestock and lives while Transpower is doing its upgrades.
However, Federated Farmer Dairy President, Willy Leferink, says what the lobby group actually wants is changes to the Public Works Act to ensure fair compensation for farmers.
He says there is no threat of a boycott and reports that there are, are untrue.
Mr Talbot says Transpower’s past tactics of trying to intimidate South Canterbury farmers has poisoned the relationship between farmers and the company.
"In fact, four years ago, they approached this farmer. They flew a bunch of ex-policemen down, they call themselves Corporate Risk. These are a bunch of heavies.
"They flew down to heavy this farmer about getting access onto his property. We actually had them evicted by the police."
Mr Talbot says Transpower should treat farmers the same way Telecom does when it comes to compensating for cell phone towers on farms – making them a desirable asset rather than a burden.
Meanwhile, Radio New Zealand is reporting that Transpower is heading to the Environment Court this week seeking an application authorising access to Mr Talbot’s farm.
