Guy talks up farmer progress

Economic and environmental issues are interlinked, he says. “We can’t lose sight of one without the other. Most farmers are environmentalists and understand the need to improve our water quality. They want to leave the environment in a better state than they found it. Farmers recognise the importance of fresh water resources, they understand there will be costs and they have shown that and proven they want to work constructively.”

Guy says farmers have fenced waterways and voluntarily signed the sustainable dairy accord. 

The task of improving water quality rests with everyone, he says. “What the primary sector needs is reasonable time-frames to adjust, good science and guidance on how to manage the limits, and new technologies to help make these water quality improvements.”