Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot Released

Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot Released

20 February 2012 The Accord partners today released the final Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot, for the 2011–12 dairy season, which shows progress against all targets. In particular, an increase in compliance with effluent management rules can be seen, along with steady progress on excluding livestock from waterways – which is now very close to the 90 percent target. Progress was also made on other targets. MPI Resource Policy director Mike Jebson says the Accord has played a key role in driving an improvement in farmers’ environmental performance. “One of the five targets was achieved and there has been progress towards achieving all the others.” “Working together on the Accord has focused the efforts of the partners on what each one of them can do to help.” “But, a number of challenges remain. For example, the report shows the management of effluent discharge remains a significant area for dairy farmers to work on.” This is the final report for the Accord which expired in 2012. A new agreement has been developed between industry body DairyNZ and all dairy companies to update and succeed the Accord. MPI will take a supportive role. END

Accord Target

2011–12

Dairy cattle are excluded from streams, rivers and lakes

87%

Regular race crossing points have bridges or culverts

99%

All dairy farm effluent discharge to comply with resource consents and regional plans

73%

All dairy farms to have in place systems to manage nutrient inputs and outputs – Budget

99%

As above – Plan

56%

Regionally significant wetlands to be fenced off

10 of 13 Councils have completed identification work. One has more than 90%, and two others have more than 50% fenced off

A copy of the full Snapshot report can be found on the MPI website under the menus: Agriculture – Pastoral – Dairy – see heading Managing Environmental Impacts OR Environment & Natural Resources – Water – Dairying and Clean Streams Accord web page OR go to Dairying and Clean Streams Accord: Snapshot of Progress

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