Fonterra moves to protect waterways in milk supply contract

8 December 2011

River Authority welcomes move by Fonterra to make protection of waterways part of milk supply contract

The Waikato River Authority has welcomed a move by New Zealand’s largest dairy company Fonterra to insist that its farmers fence their waterways as part of the terms and conditions for their milk supply agreement.

The Authority’s co chairs Mr Tukoroirangi Morgan and the Hon John Luxton say this latest action by Fonterra is great news for the health and well being of the Waikato River.

“We know that there has been considerable effort by the dairy industry in the last few years to ensure greater protection of waterways on farms. However this latest move goes one step further in setting expectations and achieving better outcomes,” says Mr Luxton.

Fonterra says there are many farmers that already have stock fenced out of waterways and are fully compliant with this new standard, however there are others who will need to do some work to meet the requirement. Fonterra will be giving its farmers 18 months to come up to the new standard.

The river Authority has identified the protection of water quality in the lakes and streams that feed into the Waikato River as a key aspect of improving the Waikato River itself.

Mr Morgan says the Authority congratulates Fonterra on this latest move.

“This is another step towards restoring the Waikato River. We’ve always said that it will take a combined and collaborative effort from everyone who lives and works in the river catchment to make a difference. This is great progress.”

The Waikato River Authority is a co-governance body established between the Crown and Waikato River Iwi to restore the Waikato River. The Authority is funded by the Crown to support projects that help restore the river.

ENDS

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