Federated Farmers complementary accord a joke

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has labelled Manawatu Federated Farmers ‘complementary’ accord on the Manawatu River “a joke”.

“I am hugely concerned that Manawatu Federated Farmers has chosen to go it alone in dealing with the problems of the Manawatu River,” said Mr Dunne.

Federated farmers claim to want a river they can be proud of, but need ‘ready access to credible scientific information that identifies the causes, the remedies and the economic costs involved with any solution’.

“It is the last part of that statement that really shows the farmers true concerns. While they are willing to pay lip service to being part of the solution, they will only do so if they feel the cost is not too high to them,” said Mr Dunne.

“It is the cost of doing nothing that is the true cost to this and future generations.”

“Are we going to sit back and allow one section of the community to destroy our outdoor heritage because they may have to change how they operate to do so?”

“Surely if farmers were so concerned about protecting the Manawatu River they would not wish to see cows adding to the rivers problems,” said Doug Stevens, UnitedFuture spokesperson on the environment and outdoor recreation.

“Rivers are publicly owned and available resources,” said Mr Stevens. “Any group that does not take action to preserve them is stealing our heritage both from this and future generations.”

“Now is the time for Federated Farmers to prove that they are responsible members of the community, drop this charade, sign up to the Leaders Accord and begin cleaning up this river,” said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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