Time to front foot it

He says NZ has some of the highest water quality in the world and could be a global leader in how to mitigate and handle these issues.

“When you are always reacting it is always coming across as defensive when you are trying to bat off accusations. NZ has not always heard the aspirations we have for water quality. This is true for the pastoral sector in general, not just beef and lamb.”

Parsons was commenting on the thinking behind the swimmable rivers pledge by farming leaders, including himself.

The public has heard a lot of defensive comments and “that comes across as almost like we are trying to deny there is an issue”.

“We also aspire to superb water quality and it is important we come out in a proactive way and share our vision and our aspiration,” he says.

“That was what the pledge was about – talking to the public of NZ, not just the farming community, the majority of whom are well aware of the great work going on to try to improve water quality, but the public of NZ don’t hear that because they don’t read the farming papers.

“What they hear is the stuff coming from environmental groups saying ‘the waterways are terrible and we must do something about it and the farmers are the problem’.

“The pledge was really to start having a dialogue with the public of NZ and let them hear our vision; we are very much on the same page as the public of NZ.”

A lot of debate has been heard on water quality and “quite a bit of criticism pointed at the pastoral sector,” Parsons says. “Whilst dairy has borne the brunt of that I think there is no question that the sheep and beef sector are bigger landholders: about 35% of land is in sheep and beef production -- significantly more than dairy. So we are conscious of the impacts we have as well.”

NZ has high water standards in terms of what farmers aspire to, so we could be global leaders in how to mitigate and handle these issues, he says.

“Globally we’ve got pretty good water quality – some of the best in the world.

“NZ farmers aspire to high standards and the NZ public expect these of us. These are global problems, not just NZ problems in water quality and intensification.

“So what a wonderful opportunity for us to pioneer and lead the world in how we mitigate and handle these issues, be it through science, R&D, management practices right through to the right policy and regulatory settings.”

International brand strategist and policy adviser Simon Anholt has said NZ should aspire not only to be the best country in the world, but the best country for the world in its approach to water quality.

“This is about us being global leaders in the way we tackle these challenges, which are global problems. NZ has often led the world in many areas in the way we do things so here is another great opportunity.”

The farming leaders’ pledge was an opportunity to go on the front foot and “do something fantastic and this is not just for NZ”.

“This is a bigger issue than just NZ so we want to be on that journey; we want to partner with the NZ public in how we do this stuff.”

Much of the reaction to the swimmable rivers pledge was predictable, Parsons says.

“A lot of people said ‘show us the plan; words are cheap, we want to see some action and what’s your plan to actually deliver on it?’ That’s a reasonable request and we have quite a bit in the pipeline.”

Several initiatives are underway but in some areas the sector needs more science and tools.

Parsons says all the groups represented in the farmers’ group are confident they will get there.

“This is about being world-leading in tackling water quality issues while still having a vibrant agricultural sector.”

He adds that Beef + Lamb NZ is doing joint research with DairyNZ on greenhouse gas emissions and water quality through the Pasture 21 programme.