National News> Media Releases

1 March 2006

INTENSIVE AGRICULTURE OR CLEAN WATER: FEDERATED FARMERS REJECT DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES.

In his speech to Dairy Farmers of New Zealand last week, the Chairman, Frank Brenmuhl suggests that, “[farming] values …. are taking a back seat to a desire to appease those who have the weight of numbers in the electoral process.” In his example, Mr Brenmuhl cited Federated Farmers defence in the Environment Court of the rights of dairy farmers to “farm animals of dairy origin” against a Selwyn District Council proposed rule supported by Environment Canterbury, Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird and Fish & Game New Zealand.

He went on to allege that that landowners are forced to defend themselves and their property rights in court against, “the ignorance, greed and resources of the state.” The rule proposed by the Selwyn District Council is aimed at protecting waterways from dairy pollution on new or expanded dairy farming operations.

Bryce Johnson, director of Fish & Game New Zealand said, “I’d be interested to know just how Federated Farmers justify placing themselves outside of the obligations that apply to the rest of New Zealand. All and any Kiwis, whether manufacturers, home builders, district councils or industry, who propose any activity that impacts on the environment both outside of, and within, their property, must comply with a range of obligations and laws aimed at protecting the environment. These laws and obligations are not targeted at particular groups and are set to protect natural resources for the whole population. The principle behind the RMA is public participation. To place yourself above this, to claim a special right to dump effluent into waterways with significant and long-term impacts on people beyond the farm gate is difficult to understand in today’s world.”

Mr. Brenmuhl pleads for reasoned argument and claims that, “recent scientific evidence about dairying … suggests dairy farming is not damaging the environment in the manner stated by Fish & Game.” Bryce Johnson responded, “The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report, Growing for Good, provides widely accepted reasoned argument and clearly places increasing damage to the nation’s freshwater resource at the feet of unconstrained intensive agriculture. Federated Farmer’s promise to rebut this report with credible analysis has not eventuated. I am also keen to see the ‘recent scientific evidence’ in support of intensive dairy operations quoted by Mr Brenmuhl.”

“Agriculture does not have the first and only call on New Zealand’s limited freshwater resources; they belong to all Kiwis and we all have the obligation to protect them. Agriculture needs to take greater responsibility for its adverse environmental affects.”

For more information:

Bryce Johnson

Director Fish & Game New Zealand

021 397 897