Farming leaders welcome in plan to rescue water

Tuesday 22 August, 4pm
Choose Clean Water NZ

Clean water campaigners welcome the announcement today from farming leaders on their commitment to swimmable rivers and say the next step is a commitment to an urgent plan of action.

Choose Clean Water spokesperson Marnie Prickett said today’s announcement from Federated Farmers, Fonterra and other major industry bodies on their commitment to making all of New Zealand’s rivers swimmable was an excellent first step, which now needed a detailed plan of action.

“We’re proud of these farming leaders for recognising the part they play in restoring the rivers New Zealanders love and protecting our freshwater.”

“It’s great to hear that these major farming organisations are on the same team as the public but with little detail in their statement, we’re calling now on these leaders to take the next step and commit to a plan of urgent and meaningful action.”

“Earlier this year, 16 business, tourism, public health, environmental and recreation organisations released the Freshwater Rescue Plan, seven steps the Government can take immediately to address our country’s freshwater crisis.”

“We would welcome Federated Farmers and Fonterra to support the Freshwater Rescue Plan, which includes strict and enforceable human and ecosystem health limits, a withdrawal of Government support for large-scale irrigation schemes, and a polluter pays system to encourage pollution control in our urban and rural areas.”

Choose Clean Water also cautioned the farming leaders to avoid the present Government’s definition of “swimmable” which has been weakened to allow more faecal contamination of swimming holes.

“We hope to meet with these leaders, along with our Freshwater Rescue Plan leaders from tourism, business, science, health, conservation and recreation so that we can achieve what we all want; clean, safe healthy rivers, lakes and groundwater in all regions.”

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