National Policy Statement For Freshwater

MEDIA RELEASE

23 July 2008

National Policy Statement For Freshwater

Fish & Game New Zealand welcomes the release of the proposed policy for public consultation.

“This document is welcome and supported in principle, albeit after extensive delays in its development,” said Bryce Johnson, Chief Executive of Fish & Game New Zealand. “We are particularly pleased to see that the Government has stated its expectation, ‘that this National Policy Statement will have an immediate influence on RMA decision making.’ Of critical importance will be the length of time before the National Policy Statement is implemented through regional polices and plans, and causes change to land use practices.

“At first glance, the draft policy’s high level objectives are reasonable. But high level language carries the risk of meaning all things to all people. Fish & Game is very keen to know what the National Policy Statement will actually do on the ground to stop the adverse effects of intensive agriculture, ensure the sustainable management of erosion prone hill country, and protect environmental flows threatened by irrigation. “

“Our bottom line remains a healthy freshwater resource is swimmable, fishable, and ecologically healthy and is safe for food gathering. The true test for the NPS will be its ability to meet this bottom line.”

“It is critically important that New Zealand embraces environmentally sustainable agriculture as the only route to a secure future.”

ENDS

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