This is a subscriber-only article
New Zealand’s environment and agriculture ministers have unveiled a new suite of rules for farmers and a NZ$700m (€400m) package to help implement changes.
Among them is a 190kg/ha cap on bag nitrogen which has prompted one well-known New Zealand soil scientist to describe the rule as doomed to failure because it ignores basic science.
In Ireland the nitrates derogation caps bag nitrogen at 250kg/ha on higher-stocked farms.
The New Zealand Herald reports Dr Doug Edmeades as saying: “The proposed fertiliser nitrogen cap is technically flawed. This is what happens when policy development is undertaken by those who, in my opinion, have no understanding of the science of farming.”
Others have expressed concern that the New Zealand government has diverged from its policy of setting outcome-based targets to now setting input caps.
Other new rules which include excluding livestock from rivers, farm nutrient planning, and fencing waterways were also introduced. Action for healthy waterways is part of a New Zealand programme which also includes the one billion trees programme, and new policies on urban development, highly productive land and indigenous biodiversity alongside a commitment to reduce greenhouse gases.
New Zealand farmers contacted by the Irish Farmers Journal said the diverse nature of farming there means some may not be affected by the cap on nitrogen. However, others that are irrigating and growing high volumes of grass will be affected.
SHARING OPTIONS: