Compliance checklist available for all

MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, 12 December 2011

For immediate release

Compliance checklist available for all

All New Zealand dairy farmers now have access to regionally tailored checklists developed by DairyNZ to help farmers meet the condition of their resource consents.

Farmers in the Greater Wellington, Tasman and Marlborough regions are the latest to have checklists developed for their regions, which allow them to perform a self-audit of their effluent systems.

DairyNZ project manager - effluent services Theresa Wilson, says the checklists have been popular since they first went out to Canterbury farmers in October 2009.

“Farmers found the lists useful as they provide greater clarity around the rules of each regional council,” says Theresa.

“Much of the non-compliance reported nationwide is for minor issues that can be avoided. The checklists are designed to help farmers as they go through their systems to ensure all the regulations are met and the administrative conditions of their consent have been fulfilled.”

The lists are short and sharp and have been developed in consultation with regional councils, dairy companies and Federated Farmers before being reviewed by farmers, says Theresa.

“It was important to unravel the legal jargon in the regional plans and rules, and put it into plain English so that everyone interprets the rules the same way. We’re determined to lift compliance levels and these checklists are proving to be a useful tool for farmers to do that.”

The checklists have also proved to be a good staff training tool.

“The checklist can act as a catalyst for discussions with the farm team to ensure everyone involved with effluent management understands the requirements. It’s helpful to review the checklist at least twice a season, firstly during winter when system repairs and maintenance is underway and new staff are being trained, then mid-season to review the season- to-date.”

“Having staff know about the importance of effluent management, knowing the ins and outs of your effluent management plan and being trained so they can operate the system and know what to do when something goes wrong, is a consent condition in some regions.”

Compliance Checklists are available for farmers in the following regions: Canterbury, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Greater Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Horizons, Northland, Otago, Marlborough, Tasman, Southland, Taranaki, Waikato and West Coast.

To order or download the publication go to dairynz.co.nz/checklists or phone 0800 4 DAIRYNZ (0800 4 324 7969).

-ENDS-

ABOUT DAIRYNZ
DairyNZ is the industry good organisation representing New Zealand’s dairy farmers. We are funded by a levy on milksolids and our purpose is to secure and enhance the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of New Zealand dairy farming. We deliver value to farmers through leadership, influencing, investing, partnering with other organisations and through our own strategic capability. Our work includes research and development to create practical on-farm tools, leading on-farm adoption of best practice farming, promoting careers in dairying and advocating for farmers with central and regional government. For more information, visit www.dairynz.co.nz

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