Listen: Dr Rowarth doesn't want to talk about irrigation

Dr Jacqueline Rowarth has come under fire for her recent comments on irrigation.

The Environmental Protection Authority chief scientist said when carefully managed, irrigation is a "great boon" to the environment, a statement that has drawn criticism from Fish & Game.

However Dr Rowarth was not keen to discuss irrigation today on The Country, preferring to focus on glyphosate which has recently been sanctioned for use for another five years by the European Union.

"This is very good news and of course it's based on the fact that there is no link to human health issues when used as regulated."

Also in today's interview Dr Rowarth talks to Jamie Mackay about alternative proteins and whether there is a threat to New Zealand agriculture.