Dr Jacqueline Rowarth: Water quality programme research 'limited'

Dr Jacqueline Rowarth. Photo / Supplied

The Government's new freshwater working programme may benefit some farmers, but not everyone will be able to make it work, says Dr Jacqueline Rowarth.

The farming academic told The Country's Jamie Mackay she has some misgivings about the programme, saying the research supporting it is "very, very limited."

"While it is true that some farmers can cut stock, feed the remaining ones better and therefore maintain their cash flows by producing milks solids or meat ... for many farmers that is actually not possible because they are already feeding their animals properly - and it's the feed that actually eventually results in the nitrogen, or methane."

Listen below:

Rowarth told Mackay she believes water quality in New Zealand is improving, especially when compared to other countries.

"The water quality trends in New Zealand are getting better ... we just have to keep doing the research. Our rivers are mostly swimmable ... overall our water quality is very good."

Also in today's interview: Dr Jacqueline Rowarth discusses a landmark UN report that has warned the world has just a decade to limit future temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial averages.