MEDIA STATEMENT
Te Ururoa Flavell
Maori Party MP for Waiariki
Friday 30 October 2009

Flavell calls for council to get harder on farmers

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell is calling on Rotorua farmers to clean up their act following a damming report that the majority of farms in the area are creating more pollution than allowed.

“I’m disappointed at the attitude of some farmers in adding to the pollution while individual residents are making every effort to protect our lakes and waterways,” Mr Flavell said.

“Farmers have had plenty of notice about the effect of agriculture on our environment and I welcome any moves by the regional council to come down harder on them.”

Mr Flavell said the pollution of Rotorua’s lakes and waterways has a huge effect on the local economy especially where tourism is concerned.

“Farmers need to be reminded that tourism is a core industry in Rotorua and that visitors don’t want to see lakes that are filthy and smelly.”

Environment Bay of Plenty announced this week that a number of dairy farmers in the Lake Rotorua catchment were likely to face enforcement action following a recent dairy effluent audit that showed 50% of 32 farming sites had serious compliance issues.

Mr Flavell said if farmers had difficulties complying with dairy effluent standards, then they should have signalled this earlier.

“There are organisations that can help assist farmers but I suppose the question that needs to be asked is if they really care enough about our environment.”

ENDS

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