Dry weather classification expands to North Island
The dry weather in some parts of the North Island has received medium-scale adverse event classification from the Government.
The squeeze on plastics should be a sobering warning to farmers and plastic wrap suppliers says the head of Plasback, New Zealand’s on farm recycler.
Plasback manager Chris Hartshorne says the Government is exploring the regulation of farm plastics.
“Now that Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage has announced a consultation on a mandatory product stewardship scheme for farm plastics, the time has come for all plastic suppliers to the primary sector to consider their responsibilities,” he said.
Hartshorne wants all NZ plastic wrap distributors to get behind the Plasback scheme voluntarily, as any Government imposed requirements would likely be more costly.
Hartshorne cites a December 2018 Colmar Brunton ‘Better Futures’ report saying 72% of Kiwis are worried about the build-up of plastic in the environment. They are more concerned about plastic waste than about the cost of living and the protection of children, which were second and third in the poll.
“The agricultural industry must take note because the public’s attitude towards single-use plastics is yet another issue that can affect our reputation among consumers.” Started 14 years ago, the Plasback recycling scheme has nationwide collectors and depots collecting waste silage wrap and silage sheeting. Volumes have grown lots since the scheme began: in the 2018-2019 year 2400 tonnes of plastic were collected, and 1100 tonnes were recovered in the first two months of the current year.
Plasback collects all brands of silage wrap, with some suppliers getting a free ride by distributing plastic products but not contributing to an accredited product stewardship scheme, Hartshorne says.
“The ministry has signalled a change in its thinking towards mandatory product stewardship to stop free riders. Farmers are putting pressure on their contractors and asking what they are doing to help recycle the plastics they are putting on farm.”
Hartshorne says Donaghys Crop Packaging, which markets the Spanish-made Aspla silage film, has joined the Plasback Recycling initiative.
“Every manufacturer and distributor has an obligation to contribute and they should get credit from contractors, farmers, the Government and the public for doing so.”
The Plasback scheme and the farm chemical container recycling programme Agrecovery have shown the need for these product stewardship schemes and farmers’ willingness to use them, Hartshorne says.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
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