Nitrates in the news again – not enough rainwater to dilute nitrates from intensive dairy farming

Dr Mike Joy (Freshwater Ecologist)

This study, led by Dr Mike Joy , finds that for every litre of milk produced in the Canterbury region, up to 11,000 litres of water are needed to dilute the pollution from its production.

In short, there is not enough rain and river water to dilute nitrate pollution from dairy farming to acceptable drinking water standards.

Joy points out that this is due to a historical lack of political will from both central and local governments to protect our freshwater resource:

"It's really tough on those farmers who are just doing their job. It's just utter failure by Environment Canterbury, by a whole series of environment ministers that have allowed this hands-off approach with agriculture in this country, to the point where we have this really unsustainable production."

Interestingly, Guy Trafford (Agricultural correspondent, Interest.co), who is generally no friend of Mike Joy or those who would disparage Aotearoa New Zealand’s agricultural sector, comes out in agreement.

Under the headline 'Guy Trafford takes a critical looks at Mike Joy's latest attack on the impact of dairying on the Canterbury Plains' groundwater resource - and finds it largely proven', Trafford observes that:

“The fact the farm per hectare rates of N leaching are still high (if improved) means that we are clinging to straws if we believe we are going to see any real improvement in the foreseeable future.”

He concludes that: “dairy farmers need to front foot this issue otherwise we will be seeing a wholesale land use change (again) in Canterbury”.

When an agricultural writer like Mr Trafford is agreeing with Mike Joy, Aotearoa New Zealander’s should be very alarmed about the current and future health of our freshwater resource and, by extension, their own.