Meagan Littlejohn: Sustainability essential for New Zealand wine exports
Sustainability is no longer a "nice to have", says Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Programme Manager Meagan Littlejohn.
New Freshwater Farm Plan Industry Guidelines provide New Zealand’s wine industry with advice on how to manage the key risks posed by viticulture to our freshwater ecosystem.
The guidelines, released by New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) in September, offer positive actions to enhance efforts to protect freshwater quality and ease the transition to a future regulatory environment which requires freshwater farm planning.
Water is a key component of the New Zealand wine industry’s Environment Strategy, within which our goal for freshwater is to be a world leader in efficient water use and the protection of water quality.
The impact on freshwater from viticulture is coming under increasing scrutiny from government regulators within New Zealand and gatekeepers to our markets offshore.
Consequently, it is crucial that we continue to apply creative thinking and innovative solutions across our industry to protect this precious resource.
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Dr Edwin Massey is General Manager Sustainability at NZW
