By LIAM DANN
Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton has warned dairy farmers that if they do not back Fonterra's clean streams accord they will face tougher Government regulation that could cost them even more.
The Dairying and Clean Streams accord was signed by Fonterra, local government and central Government representatives this week.
It sets specific environmental targets, such as the fencing of 90 per cent of waterways in dairying areas by 2012. Some 90 per cent of significant wetlands in dairying areas must be fenced off within within four years. Dairy farms will also need to have systems for minimising nutrient run-off and leaching into waterways.
Fonterra has come under attack from dairy farmer groups for being involved with the accord.
Dairy Farmers of New Zealand chairman Kevin Wooding said Fonterra should be an advocate for farmers and stay out of the regulatory process.
But Sutton said the accord would only have to be replaced by the regional councils and more intense regulation.
"Farmers will like that a lot less and it will probably cost them more," he said. "I'm concerned Fonterra are becoming a target of farmer resentment, and that it's possible there may be a kind of shareholder revolt."
