Farmers in the Eastern Bay of Plenty region are being asked to dump milk as road closures, slips and flooding means tankers are not able to collect the milk from the farm.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council water management group manager Eddie Grogan says Fonterra had contacted the Council this morning to explain the situation.

Farmers may have to dump milk due to flooding.

He says there is still extensive flooding in the region and some roads remain closed.

Eddie says this means farmers will need to dump milks as collecting it is not possible at the moment.

He says farmers will need to ensure they follow guidelines carefully and avoid direct contamination of waterways.
'The heavy rainfall means there will be large amounts of milk farmers will need to dispose of on site.

'Irrigation of waste milk to land is the preferred option of disposal in an emergency situation, however given the flooding of paddocks; this may not be possible for all farmers.”

Eddie says as a result of milk disposal, there may be odour issues for neighbouring properties.

'We ask for the public's understanding as the flood water recedes and roads are reopened.

'Farmers should be diluting the milk at a ratio of 1:10 when discharging it onto land, as this helps reduce any possible effects to pasture, and also minimise any odour production.

'After irrigating the diluted milk, clean water should be flushed through the system, again to help minimise odour.”

He says this is an emergency situation, so hopefully people can be tolerant of the temporary odour as they can be assured this is the best option to protect the environment.
Key messages for farmers:

Irrigation of waste milk to land is the preferred option of disposal

Avoid any direct discharge to waterways

Prevent ponding of wastewater and overland flow into waterways, including drains, when irrigating

Try to avoid irrigating near property boundaries to minimise odour potential

Irrigate to land at a dilution of 1:10 with water to avoid damage to pasture

Flush irrigation lines with clean water following application of milk to pasture

No more than four days worth of milk should be discharged to your effluent pond system

If you're unable to dispose of your milk in accordance with the guide, please contact Bay of Plenty Regional Council Pollution Hotline 0800 884 880.

To download the full guide to emergency milk disposal visit /environment/pollution-prevention-and-compliance/emergency-milk-disposal-information/