MEDIA RELEASE

January 31, 2013

ORC Committee Endorses New Dairying Accord

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) policy and submissions committee has recommended support for a new draft water accord in which the dairy industry reiterates its commitment to delivering better water quality for New Zealand.

The Dairy Environment Leadership Group, comprising representatives from the dairy sector, central government, regional councils, iwi, and the New Zealand Fish and Game Council, has developed the accord to succeed the 2003 Dairying and Clean Stream Accord.

The draft accord, which will take effect from the start of the 2013-14 season, aims to enhance the overall performance of dairy farming as it affects freshwater, by committing to good management practices.

ORC’s policy and submissions committee has recommended the full council agree to become a ‘Friend of the Accord,’ and in doing so potentially join iwi, environmental NGOs, Local Government New Zealand, and government agencies.

ORC chairman Stephen Woodhead said that while the committee was happy to endorse the accord, it was also clear that the commitments and goals in the accord must deliver industry-wide actions that have measurable environmental benefits.

“The Otago Water Plan will still be ORC’s primary instrument for achieving good water quality. There is much that needs to be done on farms in parts of Otago where water quality has deteriorated,” Mr Woodhead said.

Council staff would continue to use education, monitoring, and enforcement activities to ensure that the aims of the Water Plan were met, he said.

ENDS

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