In an open letter launched this morning, Greenpeace is calling on the New Zealand Government to put public health above industry profits by lowering the legal limit for nitrate in drinking water.

This follows the Danish Government's move to lower the legal limit for nitrate in drinking water, after an expert panel recommended it should reduce from 11.3mg/L - which is also New Zealand’s current standard - to 1mg/L. The panel's recommendation was to take a precautionary approach to protect against the risk of bowel cancer.

Greenpeace Aotearoa freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe says, "Rural families’ drinking water is being poisoned by the intensive dairy industry, yet the New Zealand Government is burying its head in the sand and pretending there’s no problem."

"A growing body of international evidence has linked elevated levels of nitrate in drinking water with several human health risks, including bowel cancer, preterm birth, and Blue Baby syndrome."

"But while Denmark moves to protect people from these health risks, the Luxon Government is protecting dairy industry profits."

Appelbe says that the Danish situation is a ‘good news story’ - one that New Zealand needs to replicate.

"The Danish Government has recognised a threat to human health, and taken action to stop the problem from getting worse.

"Nitrate contamination has been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer, preterm birth, and at high levels, Blue Baby syndrome. Another recent international study suggests a correlation between high nitrate in drinking water and increased dementia risk. The weight of the available evidence supports taking a precautionary approach and reducing exposure to nitrate contamination."

"The evidence is clear. Nitrate contamination puts people’s health at risk. That’s why we’re calling on the Luxon Government to lower the Maximum Allowable Value - the legal limit - for nitrate in drinking water now."

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