Rural recycling boost

"Federated Farmers stands for profitable sustainable farming. This is a serious advancement that will improve New Zealand farming's environmental footprint," says Conor English, Federated Farmers chief executive.

"Federated Farmers new role is as 'Business Manager' for the foundation. This role was previously held by Horticulture NZ but Agrecovery has increased its scope.

"The Agrecovery Foundation provides farmers and horticulturalists with an environmentally appropriate way to dispose of unwanted chemicals and containers, silage wrap and even, crop protection netting.

"Each year, more than ten million litres of agricultural and veterinary chemicals are used in the primary industries and that is just what comes in containers. We are talking about containers holding up to 60 litres each.

"It is estimated around 40% of these chemicals are used in pastoral farming, but just as important, is getting back the containers these chemicals came in."

English says recycling is the one way we can turn a perceived environmental negative into a big positive. Agrecovery is a product stewardship programme and Federated Farmers is actively investing in the relationship to take it to a new level.

Agrecovery chair, Graeme Peters, thanked Horticulture New Zealand for its work as business manager for the first six years of Agrecovery.

"During this period we have built up excellent support from growers, who see the benefit of using Agrecovery to dispose of waste plastic and chemicals," Peters says.

"This stronger link with Federated Farmers will build on those results so we achieve greater uptake among pastoral farmers in the years ahead.

"Anders Crofoot, a Federated Farmers Board member, already represents the federation on the Agrecovery Foundation Trust.

"This wider scope will enable a more hands on approach and means Federated Farmers will work closely with the Hastings-based programme manager, industry stakeholders and the manufacturers of agrichemicals and animal health products.

"Success demands a big team effort because Agrecovery is important to the environment and to the primary industries," Peters says.