Tuesday 27 March 2007

Copeland - Most farmers adopting best clean water practice

United Future environment spokesperson Gordon Copeland is pleased that the majority of dairy farmers have adopted Fonterra's effluent disposal requirements, although he concedes that the few remaining culprits can ruin it for everyone else.

The target is 100 percent compliance; however there are still 10 percent of dairy farmers who ignore the requirements for effluent disposal as adopted by Fonterra.

"These farmers need to realise that they are responsible for making sure dairying is environmentally viable in New Zealand into the future," said Mr Copeland.

"Clean water is a basic requirement for any healthy, environmentally friendly country, which is why United Future is committed to addressing water quality and agrarian runoff through our Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Government.

"It is encouraging to hear that the Taranaki Regional Council is requiring farmers to plant riparian strips along waterways. This is a very responsible initiative that will hopefully spread throughout other regional councils across the country.

"The planting of riparian strips, fencing streams off from stock, nutrient budgeting and nitrogen inhibitors are all low-cost, no-regrets solutions to mitigating nitrogen leakage into our rivers and streams.

"There is a lot of research and new technology available for farmers to not only mitigate their nitrogen runoff but also to improve the economic efficiency of their operation.

"Our aim is to work with the farming community to achieve a lasting improvement in New Zealand's rural water quality through the implementation of better farming practices and greater efficiency," said Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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