Wairarapa farmers bear brunt

BLAMED: Seventy per cent of people surveyed believed water quality issues rests with dairy farmers. PHOTO/FILE

Working with farmers rather than blaming them for the poor condition of water quality will result in better outcomes for the environment, says Federated Farmers.

A survey funded by Fish and Game released recently found the dairy industry's poor performance is affecting our global reputation with 70 per cent of those surveyed saying the expansion of dairy farming in the past two decades has made water quality worse.

Wairarapa Federated Farmers president Jamie Falloon said there were two sides to the debate.

"We need to work together."

Farmers were doing everything they could to lessen their impact on the environment and Wairarapa waterways were in reasonably good health, he said.

"It can always be better though. Twenty years ago farmers thought they were doing the right thing discharging into waterways now they discharge on to land. It's state-of-the-art today.

"They have spent a lot in recent years planting riparian areas around waterways and budgeting for irrigation."

Dairy farmers were the backbone of the country's economy but while the South Wairarapa District Council had said it would spend $31 million over the next 50 years to improve water quality in the district, farmers were expected to fix the problem overnight, Mr Falloon said.

"They want farmers to do it tomorrow.

"We have to remember we are a flush and forget society. We just push the button and it's gone without a thought on where it goes."

And Fish and Game shouldn't be pointing the finger at farmers because fishermen were responsible for didymo getting into South Island rivers, Mr Falloon said.

"If farmers are caught doing the wrong thing they are prosecuted."

Farmers in the region had a "well above 80 per cent compliance rate" and Federated Farmers supported regional council plans on water improvement, Mr Falloon said.

There was no sense in laying the blame on farm practices, he said.

"To supply Fonterra, farmers have to comply.

"It doesn't help the debate accusing farmers of environmental terrorism.

"We have a good process for following the regional plan ... it's not like nothing is being done."

The industry needs to be environmentally sustainable and economical for farmers to remain in business and keep employing staff.

"You have to be able to make money and keep employing people."

Fish and Game New Zealand chief executive Bryce Johnson said people were clearly concerned about the economic direction of the country and the impact it would have on the the environment and their lifestyle; in particular the recreational use and food gathering from waterways.

At least 90 per cent of those surveyed say all waterways should be safe for swimming, fishing and food gathering.

"Contrary to the current situation in which the general public is picking up the bill, there is overwhelming agreement that those who pollute our waterways should be made accountable for their restoration."

Farmers needed to farm smarter, Mr Johnson said.

"The need to require the dairy industry to be on an environmentally sustainable footing is a no-brainer in the minds of the vast majority of Kiwis."