By Bernard Hickey
An opinion poll by Horizon Research for Fish and Game has found 70% of New Zealanders believe the expansion of dairying has worsened water quality in rivers, lakes and streams.
The 230 page report from the survey of 3,134 New Zealanders also found that 71% thought water quality was worse than 20 years ago and 64% of farm managers and owners also thought water quality had deteriorated. The poll found 65% of National voters also thought water quality had worsened.
More than half (54%) of those surveyed said the dairy industry was harming New Zealand's '100% pure' reputation, while just under half (46%) of farm owners and managers also agreed that dairying was hurting the 100% pure reputation.
“The sole focus on ramping up primary sector growth, whatever the costs, has put the economy on a collision course with the environment and public opinion,” Fish & Game NZ chief executive Bryce Johnson said, adding the survey showed there was a clear risk political parties would lose their support if they promoted economic growth without safequards for the environment.
The survey found 67% said they supported large-scale irrigation schemes for intensive dairy farming, but only if "scientific evidence proves that measures are in place to ensure downstream waterways will not be adversely affected."
“Presently we have a number of large-scale irrigation projects being proposed by Government and regional councils with scant regard being given to the adverse environmental consequences that invariably result from the change in land use, especially downstream water pollution including estuaries and coastal areas,” Johnson said.
“The ‘precautionary principle’ is being conveniently ignored here and this negligence is going to leave a legacy of pollution for future generations,” he said.
The survey found 74% did not want regional councils to allow agricultural development and expansion "if it restricts public use and makes waterways unsafe for swimming, fishing and food gathering."
It also found 86% agreed that regional councils supporting irrigation and also being responsible for managing water quality was a conflict of interest.
"Currently the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is pushing the Ruataniwha irrigation project which, if given the go-ahead, will facilitate massive intensive dairy expansion and, through a permissive regional plan, allow toxic levels of nitrogen in the Tukituki River," Fish and Game said.
Similar large-scale irrigation development is being promoted in Greater Wellington with the regional council driving the Wairarapa Water Use Project.
“New Zealanders want regional councils to stick to their knitting – protecting natural resources, including freshwater – rather than promoting environmentally destructive infrastructure projects and environmentally unsustainable industry expansion,” Johnson said.
The survey results follow the publication of a report in November by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jan Wright, in which presented research showing the expected conversion of 650,000 hectares of land to dairying would further damage waterways, even with the mitigation measures being implemented. See more here in my November report.
Reaction
Labour Environment Spokeswoman Moana Mackey said the survey showed the National Government failed to realise how important water quality was to New Zealanders.
"When it comes to taking responsibility for improving water quality an overwhelming 89 per cent support the view that those who pollute waterways should be made accountable for their restoration, including 88 per cent of National voters, and 72 per cent wanting to see farmers and dairy companies take responsibility for reducing the impact of dairying," Mackey said.
"The single nutrient management model proposed in the Hawkes Bay Ruataniwha scheme does not meet this test and National Ministers should reverse their enthusiastic support for the scheme. It is unacceptable that millions of dollars of taxpayers money is going to subsidise a scheme that will turn the Tukituki river toxic," she said.
"This survey is a wakeup call for the National government. If they are not swayed by the economic and environmental reasons for action on water quality then maybe the potential political ramifications of continuing to drag their heels will spur some action.”
United Future Leader and National Government coalition partner Peter Dunne used the survey's publication as an opportunity to attack the Green Party, saying New Zealanders should recapture the environmental conversation from the Green Party.
"It is time that New Zealanders stand up and recapture the environmental conversation from the Green Party" said UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne in response to the results of a Fish and Game commissioned survey released this morning.
Dunne's opposition to the Government's proposal removal of sections 6 and 7 from the Resource Management Act has blocked its passage through parliament.
"I acknowledge that the RMA needs to be fixed and I'm seeking to work with National on achieving those necessary fixes. But I will not do so at the expense of the environmental bottom lines that the RMA sets," he said.
"It is actually time that Wellington steps back and lets local communities decide for themselves," he said.
"If Canterbury, for example, wants more intensive dairying farming, or Hawkes Bay wants to be GE free, or the West Coast wants to preserve their rivers then it is not up to Ministers in the Beehive to ride roughshod over those wishes."
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