Consultation period extended for effluent design

Consultation period extended for effluent design code and standards

The consultation period has been extended until April 30 due to interest in the new farm dairy effluent design code and standards.

Irrigation New Zealand Chief Executive and member of the Farm Dairy Effluent Code of Practice Steering Group, Andrew Curtis, says the extension will give potential submitters more time to consider the changes proposed in the code and standards.

“People have asked for more time as the code and standards are a first and they will change the way systems are designed and operated. We want to get all the feedback we can to put the right changes in place,” Mr Curtis says.

DairyNZ Sustainability Development Team Leader, Dr Mike Scarsbrook says it is important that farmers are aware of the code and the standards.

“Dairy farmers often project manage the building of their farm dairy effluent systems. The code and the standards need to be something they can follow, with designers and installers, to ensure their systems are fit for purpose. We need their opinions through submissions,” Dr Scarsbrook says.

Irrigation New Zealand, the New Zealand Milking and Pumping Trade Association, Fonterra, and DairyNZ are committed to implementing the standards and the code.

The draft documents are available for download on www.dairynz.co.nz/effluentcode

ENDS

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