"We know that environmental sustainability isn't an option, it's a necessity. I can say with confidence that the dairy sector is committed to farming sustainably."
Dr Mackle also said that Labour's proposal to introduce a water royalty for commercial water users would be difficult and require extensive consultation around the regions.
"Within a farming business, just like any business, commercial water rates already apply. Our farmers also pay for access to irrigation, and access to water on their land through council consents. Water royalties could potentially duplicate these costs.
"Labour earlier hinted that such a levy wouldn't result in a cost increase for farming, but without a robust conversation about how their water royalty policy will work we can't know exactly how this would affect dairy farmers."
Dr Mackle commented on Labour's proposed Ready to Work programme, saying the young people targeted won't have a lot to do on New Zealand dairy farms.
"Labour want to employ young people to fence off waterways and plant alongside rivers and streams. They may not know this, but dairy farmers already have this work well underway.
"Dairy farmers are already voluntarily fencing waterways - amounting to almost 27,000km of fencing along 97 per cent of waterways.
"We've also invested huge effort in developing guidelines for planting alongside rivers and streams in all regions so farmers have the best advice about how to improve environmental outcomes on their farms.
"The fact that almost all dairy cows are now excluded from dairy freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers shows how serious dairy farmers are about protecting New Zealand waterways."
