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Federated Farmers Vice President Colin Hurst
Federated Farmers say Environment Canterbury's decision to declare a 'nitrate emergency' is a shameless political stunt that won't help anyone.
"It's incredibly disappointing to see Environment Canterbury (ECan) playing these kinds of petty political games," says Federated Farmers vice president Colin Hurst.
"Declaring a nitrate emergency isn't helpful or constructive. All it will do is create unnecessary panic and drive a wedge between our urban and rural communities.
"I think most reasonable Cantabrians will see the declaration for what it is: a cynical and alarmist stunt from a group of councillors trying to score points during the local body elections."
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Canterbury arable farmers are down by tens of millions of dollars after a rollercoaster of wild changeable January weather saw harvests delayed and some crops destroyed by violent hailstorms.
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