New Zealanders have had enough of the dairy industry's effect on the freshwater resources according to the latest Public Perceptions of the NZ Environment survey.

New Zealand Fish and Game chief executive Bryce Johnson says the key findings by professor Ken Hughey and his research team at Lincoln University identify water-related issues are rated the most important environmental issue facing New Zealand – and farming is seemingly the main cause of the problem.

Water-related issues have been pinned on farming in a recent survey.

'When you combine these findings with the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's recent report showing too many cows in too many places are taking a huge toll on our rivers, streams, lakes and groundwater, it's clear the industry desperately needs a new model if it wants the support of the New Zealand public.”

Bryce says there is more evidence than ever and experts are exposing the flaws in the current dairy industry's ‘production at all costs' mode of operation.

'The New Zealand public does not want to subsidise further freshwater pollution. Kiwis aren't stupid and they won't be duped by hollow promises of economic windfall – they care deeply about the natural environment, and particularly our fresh waterways for which there is overwhelming concern.”

Working examples have been trialled and are showing reduced stocking rates with better-fed cows that live longer, get in-calf easier, suffer less disease and require less inputs, says Bryce.

'They can be as profitable as the current high-stocking rate regime – all this with a much reduced environmental footprint, less stress and better margins for the farmers.”

'Freshwater quality is shaping up to be a major election issue. The public demands meaningful measures to protect and improve the state of our rivers, streams and lakes, not weak environmental legislation – like the Government's intentions to sabotage the environmental protection provisions of the RMA – all designed to pave the way for more intensive dairying,” says Bryce.

'This is ‘tomorrow's farming today' and it's where the dairy industry must transition to now.