Farmers Relieved at Nitrogen Funding Confirmation
NEW ZEALAND – Relieved farmers in the lake Rotorua catchment have welcomed a government pledge to go halves on the country’s biggest nitrogen reduction project.
6 May 2014
1 minute read
A total of NZ$24 million of the $48 million scheme has been met with ‘in-lake’ actions, farmers heard last week.
The result is that stakeholders and taxpayers share the cost of reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorous leaching from natural, rural and urban sources leaching equally.
The project will be led by rules, currently being drafted, from a consultation process through the Bay of Plenty Regional Council with farmers and other stakeholders.
Current targets stand at a 142 tonnes nitrogen reduction by 2032, on top of a 100 tonne incentive scheme target.
This is the highest reduction in the country and will not be easy, said Wendy Roe, Chairperson of the Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective.
“It is an ambitious target but we’re optimistic that we can keep our farms viable and protect the lake,” said Mrs Roe.
“Many farmers have already taken practical actions to reduce nutrient losses with all streams fenced off and stream banks planted up. Farmers are using innovative methods such as stand-off pads and sediment detention bunds.”
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