John Blackwell: In good company

John Blackwell

Federated Farmers is in good company when its views on water quality issues in many respects dovetail with those of the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, who spoke at a Water Forum in Wellington on May 30, organised by Local Government NZ.

Few farmers would take issue with Sir Peter's key points. He said most New Zealanders would recognise that it has been the success of pastoral farming that has kept us in an economy that many in the world would envy. But primary production has also had consequences for water ecosystems.

Without ignoring dairy intensification of recent years, he pointed out that urbanisation, industrialisation and damming rivers for hydro power also take a toll on rivers and lakes. Rather than blaming any single sector, solutions will need engagement from all stakeholders.

"It takes time and a consistent and adaptive approach to clean a catchment, and it cannot be done without broad stakeholder co-operation. It will take decades in some areas. The nitrogen leaching into the upper Taupo catchment is a reflection of the nitrogen and phosphate (in fertilisers) put on the soil 80 years ago. So expecting to fix it up in two years is impossible.

"It's absolutely irresponsible for advocates, and dare I say some politicians, to make unreasonable claims over the speed of what can be achieved (but) that doesn't mean there aren't areas where rapid change is possible." He told the Water Forum the government and councils get hung up on numbers and standards.

Far better, he suggested, to have consistent and repeated monitoring of a number of waterway health markers in catchments over a period of years. If they show a trend of improvement, that's what matters.

It's naïve to think agriculture, and other primary producers, don't need to change. It's also naïve not to take into account farming economics as we look to protect and enhance natural ecosystems.

If there's not improvement, more action is required. He condemned irresponsible farming practices such as the so-called "spray and pray" approach that has emerged lately in one or two parts of the South Island.

Precision agricultural techniques hold great promise. It's naïve to think agriculture, and other primary producers, don't need to change. It's also naïve not to take into account farming economics as we look to protect and enhance natural ecosystems.

Sir Peter advocated holistic thinking and greater use of technology.

"If we do it the right way, I believe we can have a major impact on the freshwater estate without adversely affecting the economics of farming. In my view farming will always remain at the heart of our economy, because of our geographical position and the reality of where we sit in global value chains."

Federated Farmers has made similar calls for balance, consistent and reliable measurement, co-operation, time to make changes and catchment, even sub-catchment, solutions. Perhaps some of the green advocates and council regulators need to catch up.