Dairying and Clean Streams Accord

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The Dairying and Clean Streams Accord is an agreement signed in 2003 in New Zealand between Fonterra, Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and regional councils.

The purpose of the accord is to provide "a statement of intent and framework for actions to promote sustainable dairy farming in New Zealand. It focuses on reducing the impacts of dairying on the quality of New Zealand streams, rivers, lakes, ground water and wetlands."[1] The goal is to ensure that water is suitable for fish, drinking by stock and swimming (in designated areas).

The performance targets are:[1]

  • Dairy cattle excluded from 50% of streams, rivers and lakes by 2007, 90% by 2012
  • 50% of regular crossing points have bridges or culverts by 2007, 90% by 2012
  • 100% of farm dairy effluent discharges to comply with resource consents and regional plans immediately
  • 100% of dairy farms to have in place systems to manage nutrient inputs and outputs by 2007
  • 50% of regionally significant wetlands to be fenced by 2005, 90% by 2007

In December 2002, the farming lobby group, Federated Farmers, initially opposed the accord since they considered that Fonterra was going beyond their brief and they had not consulted farmers.[2] However, the Dairy and Clean Stream Accord has become "the cornerstone of dairying's defences against accusations it's doing nothing to protect the environment".[3]

[edit] Progress

Yearly progress reports on achieving performance targets have been released. The 2006-2007 report, released in February 2008, gives an 83% compliance for the target of excluding cattle from waterways, 97% for bridging waterways, 93% for correct dairy farm effluent treatment and a 64-97% for preventing nutrient losses.[4]

A scientist at the University of Waikato described the 2006/2007 report as self-congratulatory and accused the Government of lacking leadership.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Dairying and Clean Streams Accord (2003-05-26). Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
  2. ^ Pickering, Sid. "Lobby group remains opposed to clean streams accord", Waikato Times, 2002-12-23. Retrieved on 2008-03-13. 
  3. ^ White, M. 2007. Fat Cows and Filthy Streams, 'North & South' magazine, November 2007, pages 52-63. ACP Media Ltd, Albany, North Shore. Download from Fish and Game
  4. ^ The Dairying and Clean Streams Accord: Snapshot of progress – 2006/2007 (February 2008). Retrieved on 2008-03-13.
  5. ^ "Professor slams environmental performance report", Scoop, 2008-02-28. Retrieved on 2008-03-13. 

[edit] External links