What quantified estimate of economic benefit from enabling agricultural drone use does the Ministry for Regulation hold to set against the Civil Aviation Rule Part 102 compliance costs of $180,000 to $240,000 sector-wide annually estimated in its aide-mémoire MFR2026-026 of 10 February 2026?

Answer

I am informed that the Ministry for Regulation conducted a cost-benefit analysis of enabling greater agricultural drone use, using estimated compliance costs of $180,000 to $240,000 under current rules. Subject to the rule changes, these amount to cost savings of $1.3m to $1.7m in net benefits, in present value terms over a 10-year period. Other non-monetised benefits were on-farm cost savings, yield gains, and health benefits. Non-monetised costs were spillover costs from spray drift and noise.