10% of Fonterra dairies ignore effluent requirements

A small but significant number of dairy farmers are compromising the quality of waterways by failing to control effluent and nutrient run-off, according to the latest Snapshot of Progress on the Clean Streams Accord.

Environment Minister, David Benson-Pope chose World Water Day to release the findings of the third annual report of the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord at a dairy farm in Taranaki.

Benson-Pope congratulated the Taranaki Regional Council for its farm planning program, which requires planting along streams, and praised farmers who have taken the necessary steps to help Fonterra meet its commitments under the Accord.

"These farmers are reducing their nutrient run-off by building bridges, culverts and fences to stop cattle from entering waterways and by replanting stream verges," Benson-Pope said.

"The investment they are making in the environment now will make their dairy business viable well into the future.

"However, 10% of Fonterra dairy farmers are putting the environment at risk by ignoring effluent disposal requirements. The target is 100% compliance, effective immediately."

Agriculture Minister, Jim Anderton said the report is a timely reminder of what most dairy farmers are doing to reduce their impact on waterways.

However, the report also found that only 33% of surveyed farmers have systems in place to manage nutrient inputs and outputs, when the Accord committed all dairy farms to this by 2007.

"Nutrient management plans are not just about nutrient budgets. They are an essential part of modern dairy farming. If the accord is to be a success then these management plans are not optional," Anderton said.