The agriculture and horticulture industries are already a long way down the trail of environmental stewardship but the action plan is an important step towards achieving higher standards.
The plan, launched by ministers David Parker and Damien O’Connor in Waikato on June 5, is the work of a governance group drawn from the primary sectors, regional councils and the ministries of primary industries and environment. It sets 21 principles, targets and practices for nutrient and effluent management, water use and irrigation and waterway, land and soil protection.
It’s all aimed at encouraging every farmer and grower to adopt good practice and put in place a farm environment plan to protect waterways on farms and in catchments. It also entails a system to monitor and report on progress.
The principles and actions in the plan will not be new to many farmers, especially those who already have farm environment plans. But it’s a comprehensive checklist they can use, and for farmers not up to speed on these things it can be their impetus and starting point.
Earnings from the primary sector underpin the New Zealand economy and in a world where consumers increasingly demand proof their food has been produced with high standards of animal and environmental care we need to continue to lead the way.
• Chris Allen is Federated Farmers Environment spokesperson
