MEDIA RELEASE

23 July 2009

Dirty Farmers Supply Dirty Companies

“The lack of quick action by Fonterra and dairy farming leadership following yet another series of convictions for dirty dairying by the Crafars makes a mockery of claims by Fonterra that it takes environmental responsibility seriously,” said Bryce Johnson, Chief Executive, New Zealand Fish & Game Council.

Dairying brothers Allan and Frank Crafar were found guilty this week of 34 of 40 charges brought against them by Environment Waikato related to the systemic failure of an effluent system on one of their farms near Hamilton. This is the latest in a string of cases involving the Crafars. The latest breaches included dairy effluent seeping from ponds, discharges from feed pads on to yards and land, discharges from a broken irrigator hose, overflows from sumps, over-irrigation of paddocks and after being urged to rectify effluent issues on the property breaching an abatement notice.

“Fish & Game recognises and supports the many farmers who are operating within the rules and with environmentally responsibility, but the fact that cavalier and destructive practices continue to have an implicit nod from Fonterra is totally unacceptable. We have heard plenty form Fonterra and dairy leaders on the need for intensive agriculture to meet its environmental responsibilities – let’s see some action.”

“A failure by Fonterra to act is a slap in the face for the many dairy farmers doing it right, and is dismissive of New Zealanders’ demand for clean freshwater. A clean and healthy environment is the backbone of the country, and continued degradation by cavalier farmers will inevitably cripple the county’s future.”

“Surely the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, a confederation of all the major companies, could take some leadership here by providing a set of simple environmental best practice requirements for inclusion in supplier contracts. Why is this umbrella body so silent?”

ENDS

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