Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Labour’s Plan a “Watershed” for Clean Rivers
Labour’s Plan to Cull Irrigation Fund a “Watershed” Policy for Clean Rivers: Greenpeace
9 August, 2017 -
Greenpeace have welcomed Labour’s commitment to ditch
National’s $480 million taxpayer fund for new irrigation
schemes.
“Ditching the irrigation fund is one of the
most important things that any political party could be
doing right now to protect New Zealand’s freshwater - it
is a watershed policy for our rivers,” says Greenpeace
sustainable agriculture campaigner, Genevieve Toop.
“Big irrigation drives more intensive dairying, and
we already have too many cows in New Zealand. If we’re to
save our rivers, we need to stop big
irrigation.
“Every New Zealander should be able to
swim in clean rivers and drink pure water without fear of
becoming ill. The first step to restoring freshwater health
is to stop making the problem worse through dairy
intensification.”
Labour’s policy states existing
commitments will be honoured, but Crown subsidies for the
funding of further water storage and irrigation schemes will
be removed because they should stand on their own economic
merits if they are viable.
Greenpeace has also
criticised National’s $44 million river clean-up grants,
which were announced yesterday. The largest recipient of the
grants was an irrigation dam in the Waimea Valley, which
received $7 million.
“National’s so-called river
clean-up fund is actually funding big irrigation - one of
the root causes of the problem,” says Toop.
“We
already have too many cows in New Zealand. Any Government
that is serious about saving our rivers must first stop the
intensification of dairy and reduce the
herd.
“There’s little point in cleaning up rivers
while you’re still funding the major drivers of
pollution.”
ENDS
Greenpeace
Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice.
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.
Gordon Campbell: On bird flu, AUKUS entry fees and Cindy Lee
Labour Party: Penny Drops – But What About Seymour And Peters?
Government: PM Announces Changes To Portfolios
Family First: Just 1 In 6 Oppose ‘Three Strikes’ - Poll
Labour Party: Budget Blunder Shows Nicola Willis Could Cut Recovery Funding 
Government: Urgent Changes To System Through First RMA Amendment Bill
Peace Movement Aotearoa: Global Military Spending Increase Threatens Humanity And The Planet
