The owners of six dairy farms that still breach national rules on stream crossings, DESPITE BEING GIVEN THREE YEARS' leeway, could be prosecuted in six weeks if they don't take steps to comply. All stream crossings by dairy cows that caused environmental problems were supposed to have been eliminated three years ago, but six farms with 10 such crossings still remain in Marlborough. A report to the Marlborough District Councils environmental committee meeting said that council staff had surveyed Marlborough's dairy farms and found 32 incidents of farms breaching the rules................(sorry, got sick of typing the full article). Committee chairman Peter Jerram said there was a lot of goodwill from farmers and there had been considerable improvement over the past years. Councillor Francis Maher said a lot of effort had been expended to get that inprovement. However, Councillor Jessica Bagge said that even with three years grace people were still non-compliant."
I have posted a couple of e-mails regarding the "Dairy farmers face river crossing wrath". If you have some spare time could you please consider sending an email of support to Councillor Jessica Bagge.
I think any elected official/councillor needs our encouragement to to pursue an end to the poor farming methods as practiced in Marlborough.
From: Ross [mailto:hunt.a.ways@xtra.co.nz] Sent: Monday, 30 July 2012 2:26 p.m. To: m-s-d@xtra.co.nz Subject: Article Marlborough Express 30.07.12
Hi Jessica
I wish to congratulate you on your stance portrayed in the article “Dairy farmers face river-crossings wrath”. It should be a matter of considerable embarrassment to the Marlborough District Council that despite years of pandering to the local farming lobby the payback is continual non-compliance.
The pathetic apologist attitude of councillors Jerram and Maher only continue to support the degradation of Marlborough's iconic waterways.
It would be interesting to see if the non payment of my rates would be dealt with as leniently.
Kind regards
Ross Laybourn.
Hi Ross
You make a good point. I can’t think of any bad rates owing more than 6 years, which is as long as Council has been working on the dairy effluent and stream crossing project. The high priority ones were supposed to be eliminated by 2009 so Council will put all non-compliant farms by the end of September 2012 in front of the Enforcement & Prosecution Committee. Good, about time.
Thanks for your email, always great to hear what people are thinking.
Good one Ross