DairyNZ views
Firstly, it’s pleasing to see the Essential Freshwater Package will build on the great voluntary work farmers have been doing to protect water quality and aligns with our Dairy Tomorrow strategy to improve the health of our waterways, and enhance biodiversity.
Today’s proposal focuses not only on dairy but all land use activities, including sheep and beef, horticulture and urban activities, reflecting that we all have a part to play in improving our waterways.
Overall, while we support improving waterways, we haven’t been involved in the development of this Essential Freshwater Package, so we need to understand the proposed policies in more detail. Our water quality scientists and economists will be looking closely
at what this proposal means for farmers and waterways, and will be representing farmers through the submission process. We’ll also be collaborating with other partners who represent dairy farmers.
We understand the need for a focus on ecosystem health and, alongside this, options to better track the impact of the improvements farmers are making to work towards this.
However, we have serious concerns that the proposed approach of reducing nitrogen and phosphorus will not achieve improved ecosystem health and could have a significant impact on farm businesses and the rural community. We need to better understand what this
means for our farmers and for the country.
You may have noticed that DairyNZ has a different view than Beef+Lamb New Zealand on the issue of further intensification in over-allocated catchments.
The reality is that current regional council policy processes already restrict intensification in many areas. The government is proposing that this approach is extended to catchments where there is currently no policy process in place, until 2025.
In principle we support restrictions on intensification in some areas. Without this, our dairy farmers may have to reduce their footprint even further.
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