DairyNZ Welcomes Improved Effluent Compliance

NEW ZEALAND - The reduction of serious non-compliance in the Waikato could be seen as a turning point in the management of effluent in the region says DairyNZ.

13 July 2011

2 minute read

Oceania

The Waikato Regional Council monitoring results of farm compliance with permitted activity rules and effluent consents for 2010-11 show 12 per cent of properties were significantly non-compliant, a marked decrease from 27 per cent the previous season.

In all 66 per cent of farms were fully compliant with the rules for the same period, up from 51 per cent the previous season.

DairyNZ project manager for effluent, Dr Theresa Wilson, said it was pleasing that dairy farm effluent compliance has improved in the Waikato, given the effort that has been put in across the board to improve the situation.

“To see serious non-compliance more than halve in the region is a huge step forward and a vote of confidence in the various activities that we’ve been working on with farmers, such as our farm workshops on effluent management,” Dr Wilson said.

DairyNZ worked with regional councils across the country last dairy season to establish effluent compliance checklists to give farmers greater guidance on what needs to be done on their farm.

“They are an interpretation of the rules so a farmer can self-assess their property against how the regional council would interpret them. It’s all part of helping to reduce the non-compliance figures across the region.”

DairyNZ also partnered with the regional council as the major sponsor of the Waikato Effluent Expo.

“Storage is an area where farmers have been desperate for quality advice. If they get their requirements right they’ll have more control over their effluent management and that will impact on their compliance performance. The Expo was a good way of helping farmers to get advice on the design of their storage systems.

“We are serious about getting this right, and are working closely with local farmers, Fonterra and Federated Farmers on the issue. Getting this right is crucial to our industry’s reputation both nationally and internationally, as well as being essential for the environment,” she says.