Bay of Plenty set for cleaner streams
For immediate release: Monday 16 June 2008
Improving the quality of Bay of Plenty waterways in farming areas is at the heart of an agreement signed today by
Environment Bay of Plenty, Federated Farmers and Fonterra Co-operative Group.
The Regional Action Plan sets out the commitment from each partner to meet national dairying Clean Streams Accord (CSA)
targets in the Bay of Plenty region. It also outlines the role each organisation will play in working with farmers to
achieve these targets.
Environment Bay of Plenty and Fonterra will advise farmers and provide resources and advice to ensure: 90 per cent of
Bay of Plenty dairy cattle are excluded from rivers and lakes by 2012; 90 per cent of regular crossing points will have
bridges or culverts by 2012; All local farmers comply with resources consents and regional plans around diary effluent
discharge; Nutrient inputs and outputs are managed by all farmers.
Environment Bay of Plenty chief executive, Bill Bayfield, says the agreement is a positive step for the region.
“Many of our farmers are making good progress in fencing off waterways and the majority are meeting regional standards
of effluent management,” Mr Bayfield says.
“This agreement encourages more of this kind of work, sets firm targets and shows farmers how we will work with them to
achieve these goals.”
Barry Harris, Chairman of Fonterra’s Sustainability Leadership Team, says the partnership will provide further support
to farmers in target areas.
“Between Environment Bay of Plenty’s team of officers, Fonterra’s own team of Sustainable Dairying Specialists, and the
local province of Federated Farmers, our Bay of Plenty farmers will have access to the resources what resources and
advice they need to achieve the regional Clean Streams Accord targets.
“Ongoing results will be measured through the annual farm dairy assessment, and I challenge the region to keep up the
progress, aim high and set a standard that other regions can follow,” Mr Harris says.
Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers President, Alan Law, says farmers have just as much interest in protecting the region’s
waterways as the local community.
“Farmers, like everyone else, use and value local waterways for recreational purposes. It’s also part of their natural
capital – something which must be protected for the next generation of farmers,” Mr Law says.
The CSA regional action plan was signed today at the McFetridge Farm near the Kaimai Ranges, where Environment Bay of
Plenty recently helped develop a riparian planting plan.
Background
About the Clean Streams Accord
The Dairying and Clean Streams Accord is a national agreement between the Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry and for
the Environment, Fonterra and Local Government New Zealand. Signed in May 2003, its aim is to achieve clean, healthy
water – including streams, rivers, lakes groundwater and wetlands – in dairying areas.
About Environment Bay of Plenty
Environment Bay of Plenty is the regional council for the Bay of Plenty region.
Our mission is to work with our communities for a better environment. Me mahi ngatahi tatau katoa, e ora rawa atu ai to
tatou taiao.
Environment Bay of Plenty’s work guides and supports the sustainable development of the Bay of Plenty. We want to make
sure our region grows and develops in a way that keeps its values safe for future generations.
A major focus of our work involves looking after the environment. We manage the effects of people’s use of freshwater,
land, air and coastal water. However, we also have a broader responsibility with others for the economic, social and
cultural well-being of the regional community.
About Fonterra
- Fonterra is the world’s largest dairy exporter and the fifth largest dairy company in the world, with annual turnover
of NZ$14 billion.
- As New Zealand’s largest and truly multinational business, Fonterra trades in 140 countries.
- Our portfolio includes dairy ingredients, liquid and powdered milks, cultured foods and yoghurts, butter, cheese and
specialty foodservices products.
- Our brands include Anchor, Anlene, Anmum, Fresh n’ Fruity, Mainland, Peters & Brownes, Tip Top, Chesdale and Bega.
ENDS