Monday, 16 December 2019 12:43

Meat processors unhappy with freshwater proposals 

Written by  Staff Reporters
MIA chief executive Tim Ritchie. MIA chief executive Tim Ritchie.

The Government’s current freshwater proposals puts the viability of some meat processing plants in doubt, warns processors.

The Meat Industry Association (MIA) says while it supports the ambition of the proposals for cleaner freshwater, the planned river quality limits are excessively tight and exceed current limits already consented by regional councils.

MIA chief executive Tim Ritchie says these limits are likely to result in substantial economic costs to the meat processing sector without resulting in substantially improving environmental outcomes.

The meat processing industry is the country’s largest manufacturing sector and employs approximately 25,000 people: the vast majority in regional New Zealand.

Many processing plants’ wastewater treatment systems have also been significantly upgraded in recent years, often at considerable expense, Ritchie says.

The sector is urging the Government to re-assess the proposed dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved reactive phosphorous (DRP) national bottom lines.

“We generally support setting instream limits for DIN and DRP – clear bottom lines will provide business with greater certainty.

“However, these should be science-based, recognise the diversity of unique ecosystems and natural variation, and reflect the local conditions of that waterway.”

The DRP limits have also not been identified as a level causing adverse environmental impact, says Ritchie.

“The proposed DRP limit is unlikely to achieve better environmental outcomes while imposing significant economic costs. 

“We do not believe that most processors will be able to meet the proposed DRP limit. Overall, the national limits need to be reassessed to ensure they are based on a scientific understanding of the environmental impact on waterways and lead to appropriate water quality without inflicting unnecessary damage on New Zealand’s regional economy.” 

In a number of cases, the water quality upstream of processing plants already exceeds or is very close to the proposed limits, according to Ritchie.

“We are concerned our sector will be paying more than our fair share to fix water quality issues caused by others.”

MIA opposes the moratorium on farm land use change.

“This discriminates against farms which are already operating within environmental limits. Our processors and exporters have an interest in both ensuring supply of livestock is maintained, as well as that livestock is produced in an environmentally sustainable way to meet increasing customer demands for sustainable food. 

“One of the cornerstones of New Zealand’s productive world-class farming systems has been flexible land use, as farmers innovate and rapidly shift production according to market signals and regulatory requirements. 

“This will prevent farmers from maximising their production within environmental limits. Farms that meet environmental limits should be able to farm flexibly.

“Any decline in farming will have a knock-on effect, with reduced processing and eventually the closure of processing plants in regional towns where meat processors are often the largest employer. The economic and social impacts of the freshwater proposals cannot be underestimated.”  

More like this

Red meat's China push

The red meat sector is launching a new campaign to lure Chinese consumers to New Zealand grass-fed beef and lamb.

Primary sector chuffed

Meat Industry Association chair Nathan Guy says his organisation welcomes the new trade deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), noting the UAE is the second largest market for the red meat sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council after Saudi Arabia.

Featured

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

SIDE 2025's new schedule, venue

Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.

Taranaki piggery goes solar

Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.

National

The show is on!

It was bringing in a new Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show board, more in tune with the CAPA general committee,…

Food charity to hold online auction

Meat the Need, New Zealand’s dedicated charity delivering locally sourced protein meals to food-insecure communities, is launching an online National…

Machinery & Products

An ideal solution for larger farms

Designed specifically for large farms that want to drill with maximum flexibility, efficiency and power, the new Lemken Solitair ST…

Landpower increases its offering

Landpower and the Claas Harvest Centre network will launch the Claas Scorpion and Torion material handling solutions to the market…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Leaky waka

OPINION: Was the ASB Economic Weekly throwing shade on Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr when reporting on his speech in…

Know-it-alls

OPINION: A reader recently had a shot at the various armchair critics that she judged to be more than a…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter