Monday, 07 January 2019 10:20

Dairy industry says everyone has same vision on water quality

Written by 

A survey showing that the public care about waterways is no surprise, says DairyNZ.


The results from the Colmar Brunton survey reinforces that all kiwis care deeply about New Zealand.


DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says “we believe so strongly that kiwis care about waterways that we’re starting a movement, where the vision is clear – we want all new Zealanders to do their bit to look after rivers, lakes and beaches and you can find out more at thevisionisclear.co.nz”


The nation-wide Colmar Brunton poll was conducted for Fish & Game New Zealand in December.


It found that pollution of rivers and lakes is worrying New Zealanders more than any other issue.


People were asked how concerned they were about a range of issues, including the cost of living, health system, child poverty and water pollution.


Pollution of rivers and lakes was the top concern, with 82% saying they are extremely or very concerned about the issue. Only 4% said they were not that concerned.

 Dairy has an important role to play, as about 15% of New Zealand’s streams run through dairy farms. 

“And dairy farmers have been doing their bit, with 97% of waterways on a dairy farm fenced off from stock, and significant work to put in riparian margins and wetlands. Farmers over the last ten years have also been significantly investing in effluent management systems that work with the land and DairyNZ continues to invest millions of dollars into research, science and technology that will look after our waterways, says Mackle.


“Claims that intensified farming contributes to water quality declines are both accurate and misleading. The reality is that all types of land use contribute to water quality – and that farming, whether it’s vegetables, fruit, beef, sheep, dairy, deer or even wine – must all work together to make sure waterways are protected.


“The most polluted rivers actually run through urban centers, and this is where the public can do their bit too.


“Farmers, industry and businesses who don’t prioritise looking after waterways, should be held accountable” says Mackle.

 

More like this

Keeping a watch on dairy farms

OPINION: Dairy farmers are under increasing pressure to safeguard their livestock, equipment and operations from a range of security threats.

Inconvenient truth

OPINION: You would've missed this one if you rely on mainstream media for your news, but your old mate reckons credit should go where credit's due: Emissions by dairy cattle decreased by 1.6% according to the latest NZ Greenhouse Gas Inventory report.

Taranaki dairy farms saved by $10/kgMS payout

Only this season’s $10/kgMS bumper payout has saved some dairy farms along the Taranaki coast from absolute disaster due to the present drought – dubbed as one of the worst ever for some.

Featured

LIC Space folds for good

Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.

Editorial: Time for common sense

OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).

National

DairyNZ Farmers Forum underway

Over 300 farmers and rural professionals have gathered in Hamilton for the first DairyNZ Farmers Forum for this year.

Machinery & Products

Shearing legend hooked on CanAm

Sir David Fagan, world-renowned competitive sheep shearer with 642 shearing titles worldwide and a knighthood to his name, now runs…

50 years of tractor pull

This year, the Fieldays Tractor Pull, in association with PTS Logistics, mark a major milestone – 50 years of crowd-thrilling…

The Wrangler's birthday bash

It's the Wrangler Limited’s 30th birthday and to celebrate the milestone a prototype of the E Series Wrangler - a…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Free speech

OPINION: The Free Speech Union is taking this one too far.

Drug survey

OPINION: New national data from The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), a leading workplace drug tester, shows methamphetamine (meth) use is…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter