Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean has joined those asking Environment
Minister Nick Smith to call in the controversial Omarama-Ohau
dairy farm consent applications.
In a statement yesterday, Mrs Dean said she believed the best
way forward was for Dr Smith to call in the consents.
Dr Smith told her he intended making a decision this week,
she said.
The Cabinet had asked for consultation with interested
parties over the proposed dairy farms before Dr Smith decided
whether the consent applications should be called in.
Mrs Dean had concerns about the scale of the proposals and
extent of change they represented.
The Omarama and Ohau environment was sensitive and she did
not want the lakes and rivers to end up like those in the
central North Island facing major problems because of
nutrients and effluent, she said.
"The further concern that needs to be considered is whether
this type of farming is the image our agriculture industry
wants. We pride ourselves on our open pastoral farming
systems and high standard of animal welfare," she said.
Mrs Dean also had concerns about Environment Canterbury,
"given its record of poor performance".
"I think people concerned about these consents would have
greater confidence in the process if the minister called them
in," she said.
The underlying issue was the protection of New Zealand's
international reputation as a "clean, green tourist
destination" and its farming brand.
