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Cleaner environment helps New Zealand agriculture: ministers

Xinhua, November 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

The New Zealand government has pledged to make the country's pillar agriculture sector more economically and environmentally sustainable.

Improving the quality of natural resources was the key to sustaining economic growth in primary sectors, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said Thursday on releasing part of the government's policy for economic growth.

The government had 39 active projects to promote farm systems change, develop regional aquaculture opportunities and develop ways to speed up the eradication of invasive predators.

"Good environmental outcomes go hand in hand with sustained productivity in the primary sector," Guy said in the statement.

"Developments in technology mean farmers can be much more precise and effective in their application of farming techniques," Guy added.

The projects were interconnected, said Joyce, citing the example of precision use of water for irrigation, which contributed to a broader approach to improving freshwater management and quality.

"As well as impacting on land productivity, erosion also has a major impact on water quality and the biodiversity of our waterways," Joyce said in the statement.

"The government is investing 20 million NZ dollars (13.12 million U.S. dollars) for new erosion control works and 22.5 million NZ dollars (14.75 million U.S. dollars) in planting forests. New forests also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Joyce added.

A raft of experts, including the government's own environment commissioner, have warned of the deterioration of the country's environment, particularly its fresh water, as it moves to more intensive farming methods. Endit