Farmers feel like they're being thrown under the tractor, saying new environmental regulations are turning the public against them.

South Island dairy farmer Shaun Portegys told Kerre McIvor he is among those feeling the impact of changing attitudes.

"I was really proud to be a dairy farmer and I was proud of what I did .

"I still love farming, I just hate all the crap that now goes along with it."

Mr Portegys says the amount of bureaucracy he can handle, it's the fact farmers are now being demonised which upsets him.

"When I meet people I don't tell them I'm a farmer. I feel ashamed of being a farmer.  If I could get out of this I would. This Government now has made it that I physically can't get out of the situation I'm in."