MEDIA RELEASE

11 February 2008

Chapter 13 Exposed

“Chapter 13 [deleted from the official State of the Environment Report released by MfE at the end of January] has highlighted and confirmed that intensive agriculture and the associated deterioration of lowland water quality is the number one issue facing New Zealand’s environment,” said Fish & Game Chief Executive Bryce Johnson.

“We all know that the quality of our lowland waterways continues to deteriorate. We all know intensive agriculture is the primary cause in rural areas. We all know Canterbury is facing an additional 100,000-plus hectares of irrigated land for intensive agriculture, probably dairying. We all know there’s a large mismatch between land capability and land use. We have evidence of water quality improvement when action is taken; and we all know how to achieve environmentally sustainable agriculture.”

“The fact is industry is fumbling around the edges of the real issue. Government must step in with the regulations the Minister has acknowledged are needed, must facilitate collaborative agreement and action involving agricultural and environmental interests jointly, and must initiate a pause on large scale water developments until the promised national policies and environmental standards are in place and operative.”

“We’ve had enough talk, excuses and sideshows. Let’s see some action and get on with it.”

ENDS

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