Target:

Dairy cattle excluded from 50% of streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries by 2007, 90% by 2012.

Assumptions:

• Fencing may not be required when natural barriers prevent stock access.
• The need for/type of fencing will depend on factors such as terrain, frequency and severity of flooding, stock type and costs.
• Streams are defined as deeper than a “Red Band” (ankle depth), “wider than a stride” and permanently flowing.

Target:

50% of regionally significant wetlands fenced by 2005, 90% by 2007.

Assumptions:

The Northland Regional Council has yet to fully define and identify regionally significant or important wetlands, but has begun this work.

Target:

All dairy farms to have systems to manage nutrient inputs and outputs by 2007.

Assumptions:

• There are effective nutrient management tools available.
• Farmers can achieve substantial fertiliser cost savings by using fertiliser in a modern, targeted and efficient manner.

Target:

50% of points regularly crossed by stock have bridges or culverts by 2007, 90% by 2012.

Assumptions:

• This target applies to non-flood conditions.

Target:

All farm dairy effluent discharges to comply with resource consent and Regional Plans immediately.

Assumptions:

• All dairy farmers should already be complying with their resource consents or the relevant permitted activity rules in the Regional Water and Soil Plan for Northland.

Available help

The Northland Regional Council has an Environment Fund that could assist farmers protect regionally significant or important wetlands.

Other high priority issues for Northland

The following issues directly relate to Accord goals but are not specifically addressed by targets in the Accord:

• Discharges of effluent from other point sources on dairy farms (including feeding pads and loafing barns).
• Existing rules (including detailed provisions in the Regional Water and Soil Plan for Northland) covers effluent discharges. Options to include this in the accord will be considered during the first annual review of the Regional Action Plan.
• There is currently a significant shortage of professional advisory services available to Northland farmers, for the detailed design and construction of effluent treatment systems. Both Fonterra and the Northland Regional Council will investigate ways of increasing the availability of professional advice.