13 December 2011
Fonterra must explain self-reporting inaccuracy
Fonterra needs to explain the vast discrepancy between claims made today about the success of the Clean Stream Accord
and the findings of an independent review commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) said Green
Party Co-Leader Russel Norman.
The Clean Streams Accord’s Snapshot of Progress claims that 84 percent of Fonterra dairy farms have fully fenced off all
Accord-type waterways. However a technical report by MAF, also released today, reports that just 42 percent of farms had
achieved complete stock exclusion from Accord waterways.
“The Clean Streams Accord progress report claims an increase in the proportion of dairy farms that have fenced off all
Accord-type waterways, whereas an independent report released by MAF paints a significantly different picture. They both
can’t be right,” said Dr Norman.
“The reality is that only half the number of farms that Fonterra claims have fenced off all Accord-waterways have
actually done so. The report is 50 percent out.
“The MAF report throws the entire Snapshot for Progress report into doubt, as well as the figures reported in previous
years.
“This highlights a real problem with the industry self-reporting approach that the Clean Streams Accord relies on, and
throws the credibility of Fonterra’s reporting into doubt.
“Under the Clean Streams Accord waterway fencing figures are provided by farmers in a voluntary survey. Today’s
independent report from MAF highlights the drawbacks of such an approach.
“The Clean Streams Accord expires next year. Today’s discrepancies in reported figures send a clear message to the
government that we need independent monitoring of environmental progress in the dairy industry.
“It also highlights the need for stronger regulation. If we can’t rely on voluntary reporting, how can we rely on
voluntary action to ensure clean streams and waterways.
“The majority of dairy farmers have been taking positive steps towards implementing the accord. It is a shame their
efforts are being undermined by questionable self-reporting approaches.
“It is time to for stronger rules and independent and accurate reporting we can trust on this critical environmental
issue.”
Link to the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot of Progress 2010/11
Stock Exclusion Survey: MAF Technical Paper No: 2011/102