More than 80% of dairy farms have a farm environment plan, says DairyNZ.
The dairy industry is well on the way to validating the sustainability and efficiency of its farm production systems.
David Burger, DairyNZ’s policy and farm solutions manager, said more than 80% of dairy’s 10,600 farmers currently have a farm environment plan that addresses water quality, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity.
The goal is for all farmers to have farm plans in 2025.
“Farmers take their regulatory obligations seriously,” said Burger.
“Global demand for NZ dairy is strong due to our high standards of production and low footprint.”
Burger said dairy is a collaborative industry with multiple parties working to support sustainable and profitable outcomes.
“However, our role as an industry good organisation is to support our farmers to improve their farm systems to meet the demands of the future, including investing in science and research and scrutinising any additional policy, regulation or certification asks of farmers, not adding more.”
Chad Tustin, the acting divisional manager bilateral relations and trade with the Ministry for Primary Industries, said the European Union’s proposed policy requiring importers to prove production has not added to deforestation, is an example of officials ensuring NZ’s production systems are understood.
“The proposed delay to the implementation of the EU deforestation regulation, if passed by the European Parliament, would alleviate the considerable uncertainty our exporters have faced due to the delays from the European Commission to issue guidance and prepare their systems for implementation.”
Tustin said the MPI is working with NZ’s beef and forestry sectors in response to the EU deforestation regulation, saying it is of concern and will place “unjustified costs” on NZ exporters and producers.
While NZ shares the EU’s goal of addressing global deforestation as a way of reducing climate impacts and protecting against biodiversity loss, our production systems are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation.
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