Federated Farmers says it's concerned about the Ministry for the Environment handing out money to encourage participation in reform of the Resource Management Act.

The advocacy group claims it's been offered $600,000 over three years to fund submissions and appearances at hearings.

Spokesperson Mark Hooper says it's a high price tag and the timing doesn't make sense.

"Why try and push this through in the six-week leadup to a general election, when we know that there's opposition parties that are talking about repealing some of these reforms?"

The Ministry has been approached for comment.

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