Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord
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The Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord was launched in July 2013 and built on the work that began under the Clean Streams Accord.
The Water Accord
The water accord was a voluntary initiative from the dairy industry to enhance the sector’s performance on water quality. It included commitments to targeted riparian planting plans, effluent management, comprehensive standards for new dairy farms and measures to improve the efficiency of water and nutrient use on farms.
The Water Accord broadened the range of goals and actions in keeping with the dairy sector's commitment to improving water quality in Aotearoa, New Zealand. It helps the dairy sector achieve a number of milestones, including 98% of dairy cattle excluded from waterways and 100% of stock crossing points having bridges or culverts to exclude cows from waterways.
Dairy Tomorrow
Following the Water Accord, the dairy sector launched the Dairy Tomorrow strategy. It outlines our commitment to protecting and nurturing the environment for future generations.
The Dairy Tomorrow - Protecting our Environment report below sets out the dairy sector’s new goals and actions to improve waterways and reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Dairy Tomorrow strategy.
A focus on delivering continuous improvement through good farming practices and Farm Environment Plans will help improve water quality, identify where further, targeted work is needed, and help identify any additional support farmers need.