Irrigation not linked to drinking water concerns

Greenpeace is out of order suggesting irrigation schemes increase the risk of drinking water concerns, says IrrigationNZ.

“They’ve well and truly stepped over the line this time and should be discredited,” says IrrigationNZ CEO Andrew Curtis.

“The reasons why Havelock North’s drinking water is contaminated are yet to be determined. There is no evidence at all that irrigation or intensive agriculture have contributed. As we stated two days ago, the area surrounding the water supply is dominated by vineyards, orchards, cropping and low intensity livestock. A far cry from Greenpeace’s allegation of industrial dairying supported by large scale irrigation,” says Mr Curtis.

“Scaremongering around future threats from the Ruataniwha irrigation scheme and industrial dairy is pure lies. Almost all the new irrigation will be traditional Hawke’s Bay mixed cropping farms and horticulture, drought proofing the food they produce.”

“We need to let the inquiry take place without inflammatory and dangerous comment; not take cheap shots with un-informed accusations that have the potential to further alarm the public,” says Mr Curtis.

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