New Government regulations requiring stock to be kept out of waterways bring added urgency to Taranaki’s world-scale streamside fencing and planting programme.
Fencing and planting waterways enhances freshwater quality.
The regulations were announced in February by the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Nick Smith. They are yet to be finalised but are intended to be phased in from mid 2017.
“Farmers on the Taranaki ring plain and coastal terraces are well placed to meet this new central government requirement,” says the Taranaki Regional Council’s Director-Operations, Stephen Hall.
“Nearly all of Taranaki’s 1800 dairy farms are covered by riparian management plans, for which 84.5% of fencing and 69.5% of planting has already been implemented.
“That equates to thousands of kilometres of fencing and millions of native plants – a massive effort.
“But this latest Government announcement is a clear signal that the rest should be implemented without undue delay. Completing your streamside fencing and planting will clearly meet future regulatory requirements, be they from central Government or the Council itself.
“And those requirements are inevitable.”
Fencing streambanks keeps stock out of waterways and vegetation helps to trap and filter run-off from pasture. Planting provides shading, food and shelter for wildlife and encourages biodiversity in rivers and streams. All these aspects generally support water quality.
To seek advice on riparian management, call the Council on 0800 736 222 and ask to speak to a Land Management Officer, or email riparian@trc.govt.nz.
The Government also intends stock-exclusion requirements to apply to sheep and beef properties in the hillcountry. Details and implications are still being worked through.
The Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon Nathan Guy, says there are long-term benefits for primary industries and wider economy from the reforms. “Overseas markets and consumers increasingly demand a strong environmental performance over and above regulatory requirements.
“In this context, protecting New Zealand’s natural advantage has never been more important.
“No single organisation or group is solely responsible for improving our water quality,” says Mr Guy.
“Meeting the target will take a collective effort, but the primary industries have a key contribution to make.”
RECOUNT — Taranaki Regional Council's quarterly newsletter
Issue 104, March 2017