Rural / Country

ACT says it would review self-defence laws for farmers

09:09 am on 11 November 2011

The ACT Party says it would review the law of self-defence to increase the safety of rural residents who are often a long way from police stations.

The party's rural policy was released on Thursday.

Leader Don Brash says people deserve the right to use reasonable force to defend themselves and their property without facing lengthy court proceedings.

Dr Brash says the party would also lobby the National Party to exempt agriculture from the emissions trading scheme.

It would also overhaul the Resource Management Act, which he says treats farmers like squatters on their own land.