The ministry driving new work place safety laws says farmers have had plenty of opportunities to raise their concerns over changes to the Health and Safety Act.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has responded to Hawke's Bay farmers who say they are angry at the Government's lack of consultation over the Health and Safety Reform Bill.
About 250 farmers and other rural representatives turned up to a meeting in Havelock North yesterday to discuss concerns over what the Bill means for farmers and their businesses.
An organiser, sheep and beef farmer Hugh Pearce said they had started a petition, to show the government more consultation and a common sense approach towards safety is needed.
"We are not anti health and safety, but what we are anti is the over regulation, the iron-fisted approach that they've come around with, just looking to find fault. The lack of consultation is another one - no one's come to talk to us as farmers and say 'what do you think?'"
But the Ministry said farmers have had three opportunities to submit feedback on the changes.
It said the reform bill was part of a government move to reduce the country's workplace injury and death rates.
Parliament's transport and industrial relations select committee is due to report back on the Bill later this month before it is passed into law.
