Professor Jacqueline Rowarth responds to Rachel Stewart's claims

Professor Jacqueline Rowarth talked to The Country's Jamie Mackay today to respond to inflammatory columnist Rachel Stewart's statements that New Zealand should cut cow numbers by 80%.

Professor Rowarth says Stewart misses the point about dairy and what it means for New Zealand's economy as well as what it contributes to the beef industry. This in turn helps New Zealand to pay for education, health and infrastructure.

Dairy profits also assist environmental research. This results in technology that allows New Zealand to produce milk more efficiently than most other countries.

Stewart's vision of a country overrun by cows is an overstatement when dairy only uses up 1.7 million hectares which is 6% of New Zealand. A small area when it brings in the bulk of our economy.

Let's always consider the alternatives if we vote against dairy.

Professor Jacqueline Rowarth

As for waterways Professor Rowarth says sediment is the biggest problem rather than pollution from farming as it makes them unsafe to swim in.

Sediment is caused by deforestation, construction and cropping according to Professor Rowarth.

When water pollution from animals has been raised as an issue, farmers responded by fencing off 40,000 kilometres of waterways. They understand the impact on the environment and are willing to take action.

Rachel Stewart doesn't understand the implications are of what she's recommending according to Professor Rowarth.

Listen to Professor Jacqueline Rowarth's full interview with The Country's Jamie Mackay above: