Cow cubicles venture canned

Plans have been ditched for three cubicle dairying operations in the Upper Waitaki, with the companies behind the proposals claiming they have been the victims of misinformation.

Southdown Holdings Ltd (SHL), Williamson Holdings Ltd (WHL) and Five Rivers Ltd (5RL) have withdrawn the effluent applications because of the estimated $2.63 million cost of funding the required ministerial call-in for the project and the open-ended nature of the process. SHL, WHL and 5RL had to pay for all Environment Ministry costs associated with the call-in of the effluent applications.

The ministry's preliminary non-binding estimate of costs was $2.63m, and the applicants' own costs were estimated at a further $500,000.

The applicants had asked for the effluent call-in process to be put on hold until the outcome of water hearings associated with the project were known, but the request was refused.

A statement issued by the three companies last night said they had already spent about $2m removing 1200 hectares of wilding pines and more than $1.8m on hearing costs and regional environmental science analysis.

They were not prepared to fund the costs associated with the call-in that SHL director Richard Peacocke considered premature in the overall process.

"Our silence to the criticism and misinformation in the press to this point was driven by the view that it was inappropriate to have this matter litigated through the media, and in respect of the legal ECan-driven RMA process."

Mr Peacocke said they had always been aware of the environmental fragility of the area and had set about developing a world-class proposal to minimise and mitigate any potential negative environmental effects of dairy farming. Although the stables option had a higher capital cost, there were long-term benefits through improved control and management of effluent, impact on waterways, improved animal welfare and enhanced production.

He said housing cows in stables in New Zealand would increase, but the size of their application might have been two or three years too soon.

"It is apparent that more work on educating the Government and the public on the positive affects of the use of stables to house cows would be beneficial for all.

"The irony of our situation is that stable-style farming is the way of the future if New Zealand is committed to environmentally sustainable farming. Farmers and the environment would benefit during cold wet climatic conditions experienced right throughout New Zealand.

"Providing stables for cows is the most effective environmental and robust animal welfare solution for the region and one that, eventually, traditional dairy farmers will be forced to consider as they come under ever-increasing pressure in the management of effluent by regional councils throughout New Zealand."

The "emotive term of factory farming" was used to create negative images similarly to poorly managed forms of battery hen and piggery operations, when the reality was the planned open-sided, roofed barns provided comfortable, free-range style movement for cows.

Of the 4800 submissions opposing the companies' applications, only 1600 were from individual objectors.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Comment on this story below.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Audrey W   #1   01:00 pm Mar 19 2010

There are several issues related to this whole cubicle farming enterprise that have never been explored by any media. 1. Why did the companies choose this area of New Zealand for this type of farming? Is it because there are not as many of the public to witness what happens to the animals, or because the land was cheaper? Surely the cost of getting the products to the markets would be more than in areas closer to ports and population centres. 2. The owners are upset that the New Zealand taxpayer and the tourist industry want to comment on the enterprise. It is our business even if the owners do not appreciate our input. 3. The owners have admitted to clearing wilding pines which may be of benefit to the area, but in principle they have already set about doing what our forefathers did - clearing land with no regard to the consequences to the environment. Earlier clearing now has to be remedied to meet environmental impacts like the effect on water ways. 4. Ordinary New Zealanders are embarrassed by some of our farming methods like battery hens and pig farming. We should not now be creating difficulties in farming that harm our reputation.

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