The worsening condition of fresh water in New Zealand and its relationship to the Fonterra Dairy Cooperative
Roxborough, Robert (2020)
Roxborough, Robert
2020
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020060417031
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020060417031
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This thesis examines the relationship between the Fonterra Dairy Cooperative, its production methods, production inputs and the resulting pollution to New Zealand’s lakes, rivers and streams. Fonterra has been chosen as the focus of this thesis, as it accounts for approximately 90 per cent of New Zealand’s dairy industry, and it is the biggest exporter of milk products in the world. The eutrophication of freshwater, outbreaks of Escherichia coli, and water shortages are all shown to be significantly influenced by nutrient runoff from dairy farms and the excessive quantities of water being used to irrigate dairy farms in dry regions.
The worsening condition of New Zealand’s fresh water has by in large occurred during the period since Fonterra was created. Therefore, this thesis aims to establish whether the intensity of dairy farming practices that cause water pollution and overconsumption have changed during Fonterra’s period of control over the dairy industry. This was achieved by examining statistics relating to the causes of nutrient runoff, irrigation infrastructure expansion and nitrogen runoff from dairy farms.
This study found that since Fonterra was created, the growth rate in both dairy cattle herd numbers and the land being converted to dairy farms has reduced. Furthermore, the ratio of stock per hectare, and the growth in fertiliser use had also lessened. However, the area of land being irrigated had grown by 94 per cent, of which dairy farms accounted for 59 per cent in 2017. Statistics looking at nitrogen leaching from dairy farms did not reveal any conclusive trend changes since Fonterra’s creation.
The worsening condition of New Zealand’s fresh water has by in large occurred during the period since Fonterra was created. Therefore, this thesis aims to establish whether the intensity of dairy farming practices that cause water pollution and overconsumption have changed during Fonterra’s period of control over the dairy industry. This was achieved by examining statistics relating to the causes of nutrient runoff, irrigation infrastructure expansion and nitrogen runoff from dairy farms.
This study found that since Fonterra was created, the growth rate in both dairy cattle herd numbers and the land being converted to dairy farms has reduced. Furthermore, the ratio of stock per hectare, and the growth in fertiliser use had also lessened. However, the area of land being irrigated had grown by 94 per cent, of which dairy farms accounted for 59 per cent in 2017. Statistics looking at nitrogen leaching from dairy farms did not reveal any conclusive trend changes since Fonterra’s creation.