ECan candidates back Commissioner on dairy costs

SAVE OUR WATER Christchurch East campaign team

4 August 2007

Means for pricing water use and waste into dairy production must be
found, say two Canterbury Regional Council candidates. The deficit's
recent airing by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is
welcomed by Richard Tindall and David Sutherland, Save Our Water
campaign members.

"Whether it's water or air, intensive dairying effects are very
harmful," says Tindall. "The costs are accruing to our future, and the
time to start managing these is now," he says.

Speaking for the Christchurch East campaign, and its launch in New
Brighton mall on Saturday, Tindall outlined the electoral initiative.
"Save Our Water combines wishes for a healthy Plains environment with
protection of public water supplies," he explained. "ECan is not acting
reliably enough in these regards, our supporters tell us."

Save Our Water is contesting the two ECan seats in Christchurch East,
and the two in Christchurch West, "to help stave off germs, carcinogens,
and higher water costs for householders," says Tindall.

"Nitrates and bacteria leaching into groundwater threaten public health,
and aquifers face uncertain security, from the dairying boom," Save Our
Water believe. "Storage schemes like Central Plains Water will only
increase water and emission problems in Canterbury," Tindall stated.

"The industrial nature of modern dairying places it outside the common
good, and the entire sector needs to meet the true cost and dangers of
its by-products. Such a measure would start us in the direction of real
sustainability," Tindall concluded. "The majority's water interests need
to be respected, long-term."

ENDS

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