“Because it is about supporting the people who are not shifting fast enough.” Farmers were suffering from pressures that made it “difficult” for them to move in the right direction, she said, citing fertiliser companies that could be exerting pressure to apply more nutrients on land than was needed. “We need our agricultural leadership to work to relieve some of that pressure.” Prickett urged farmers to consider their practices outside the advisers they currently trust. Some agricultural companies had “deeply embedded” goals of maximising production, rather than thinking at an individual farm level.
STACY SQUIRES/Stuff
Dr Tim Chambers, senior research fellow at the department of public health at the University of Otago, talks about the health effects of nitrates in water.
Agricultural leaders criticised for promoting fear over freshwater regulations stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Press Release – Choose Clean Water Campaigners say the Government must stand strong against pressure from some in the agricultural sector to weaken freshwater reforms, following the release today of the Governments consultation document on freshwater farm plans and fencing rules. …
Campaigners say the Government must stand strong against pressure from some in the agricultural sector to weaken freshwater reforms, following the release today of the Government’s consultation document on freshwater farm plans and fencing rules.
“The pressure on the Government to weaken the protection of freshwater has been starting to show, with fencing rules being consulted on appearing weaker than they had been. It’s vital that Labour stands strong on freshwater reform to provide clean, safe water and protect the health of the environment for everyone,” says Choose Clean Water spokesperson Marnie Prickett.
Wednesday, 14 July 2021, 1:52 pm
Campaigners say the Government must stand strong against
pressure from some in the agricultural sector to weaken
freshwater reforms, following the release today of the
Government’s consultation document on freshwater farm
plans and fencing rules.
“The pressure on the
Government to weaken the protection of freshwater has been
starting to show, with fencing rules being consulted on
appearing weaker than they had been. It’s vital that
Labour stands strong on freshwater reform to provide clean,
safe water and protect the health of the environment for
everyone,” says Choose Clean Water spokesperson Marnie
Prickett.
“If the Government gives in to the loud
Forest & Bird freshwater advocate Annabeth Cohen said all New Zealanders wanted to see their local rivers flourishing with life, “full of native fish and insects, and surrounded by bush and birdsong”. “We urge the Government to accept the scientific consensus that ecosystem health is not possible if nitrate pollution in waterways exceeds 1 milligram per litre. “This is a conservative standard of freshwater quality, despite what the agri-industry would have New Zealand believe.”
RNZ
Environment Minister David Parker told Morning Report there are no plans to immediately reduce the New Zealand standard for nitrates in drinking water . (First published February 23, 2021) Marnie Prickett, of Choose Clean Water, said the groups were united in backing the science, which was clear and robust.