New Zealand's largest company Fonterra has just published its second annual sustainability report covering its economic, social and environmental impacts for the 2017/18 dairy season. Fonterra says it has some work to do to reduce its environmental impact.
The 98-page report covers a wide range of topics including animal welfare, biosecurity, water, climate change and community development.
Fonterra's director of sustainability, Carolyn Mortland, said its environmental ambitions and targets required the most effort.
"This report shows we've got some work to do to reduce our environmental impact, and a great role to play in providing people with natural and nutritious food. "We really need to reduce our environmental impact... our focus is on climate change, water and waste,"
The 98-page report covers a wide range of topics including animal welfare, biosecurity, water, climate change and community development.
Fonterra's director of sustainability, Carolyn Mortland, said its environmental ambitions and targets required the most effort.
"This report shows we've got some work to do to reduce our environmental impact, and a great role to play in providing people with natural and nutritious food. "We really need to reduce our environmental impact... our focus is on climate change, water and waste,"
The report shows in the season just ended more farmers had their milk collection suspended because they did not fence off waterways: up from 78 in the 2016/17 dairy season to 90 in 2017/18.
A further eight farmers were handed notices for not meeting farm effluent requirements.
Ms Mortland believed this showed the company was getting tough on farmers who weren't meeting their environmental obligations.
The report also noted that 99.6 percent of farmers now had fencing in place excluding their dairy cattle from permanent waterways on their farms.
"We think this actually reflects where we stand now and where most farmers are asking us [to be,] which is to be tough on those who haven't quite completed the requirements that most other farmers are at,"
A further eight farmers were handed notices for not meeting farm effluent requirements.
Ms Mortland believed this showed the company was getting tough on farmers who weren't meeting their environmental obligations.
The report also noted that 99.6 percent of farmers now had fencing in place excluding their dairy cattle from permanent waterways on their farms.
"We think this actually reflects where we stand now and where most farmers are asking us [to be,] which is to be tough on those who haven't quite completed the requirements that most other farmers are at,"
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says "There are areas where we're leading our industry thanks to the hard work of our farmers, people and partners. But there are also areas where we've tried and haven't hit the mark yet, and the report doesn't shy away from that"
Fencing waterway margins is an important step in protecting freshwater from nutrients, faecal matter and sediment. It creates a buffer between water and the land. Fencing riparian zones will create a habitat for birds and freshwater species and will also help maintain and improve water quality.
According to DairyNZ Under the sustainable Dairying Water Accord:
- All stock must be excluded from any permanently flowing rivers, streams, drains and springs, more than a metre wide and 30cm deep
- All lakes must have all stock permanently excluded
- Any significant wetlands, as identified in your regional plan or policy statement must also have stock permanently excluded.
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