Editorial: River of disgrace for farmer group

OPINION: Federated Farmers should hang its head in shame.

Its refusal to sign the Manawatu River accord at a ceremony in Palmerston North this week was a cowardly act that marred what was to be a positive first step towards a healthier river.

The group's reasons for not supporting the document were beyond flimsy – they were pathetic.

Federated Farmers Tararua president John Barrow took issue with the accord's assertion "that the community has concerns and has identified that the river is in a poor state".

Mr Barrow claimed that paragraph was not "factually accurate" because not everyone in the community agreed the river was in a poor state.

Manawatu/Rangitikei Federated Farmers president Gordon McKellar agreed, saying "it implied 100 per cent of the community was concerned". What nonsense.

The river accord bound the signatories to nothing more than being involved in devising a plan to improve the health of the Manawatu River.

No specific actions or targets have been set, but it's incredibly encouraging that key stakeholders and those discharging to the river have agreed to work together to clean it up.

Federated Farmers has been involved in the months-long discussions culminating in this week's signing of the accord, and its refusal to sign has left others who have taken part puzzled, if not annoyed.

And from a political perspective, Federated Farmers' no-show is quite bizarre. It was being asked to commit to so little, and has now exposed itself to stinging criticism from so many different quarters.

Federated Farmers' national leadership must surely be uncomfortable with the attention Mr McKellar and Mr Barrow have drawn to the organisation.

While Mr Barrow says the decision is a local one made on behalf of local members, it has embarrassed the entire organisation.

Don't be surprised if the local Federated Farmers chapters have an abrupt change of heart in the coming days, prompted by internal advice from someone with a bit more political nous.

Of course, there is some debate about just how dirty the Manawatu River is, and public perception isn't entirely in line with the reality. Environmental issues always stir strong emotions, and can give rise to hyperbole.

But there is a broad, constructive consensus that the health of the river needs to be improved, and an overwhelming community desire for that to happen.

As other organisations – particularly those that discharge to the river – presented themselves as conscientious and proactive this week, Federated Farmers has been left looking foolish.

It needs to dispense with the mealy-mouthed excuses and start swimming with the strengthening tide towards a cleaner river.

- © Fairfax NZ News