Environment

Introduction
The New Zealand Pork industry is at the forefront of environmental management both in New Zealand and internationally. A number of activities on farm need to be managed to ensure a high level of environmental stewardship. Pork producers are also required to ensure compliance with the rules and corresponding conditions on resource consents as controlled by district and regional councils - through the Resource Management Act (RMA).

The pork industry has always had a strong commitment to continuous improvement in the efficiency with which inputs are used, the way in which land and water resources are maintained and enhanced and the methods by which by-products of pork production are utilised to add value to other agricultural enterprises.

In supporting the industry New Zealand Pork’s strategies are to:

• Ensure the industry maintains its leadership position of environmental stewardship under the auspices of “being a good neighbour” and “being a good steward”. This is underpinned by ensuring that good practice environmental management is implemented throughout the industry.
• Achive a significant reduction in consent and compliance costs.

To achieve this New Zealand Pork focuses in three key areas:

1. Actively engaging in the wider debate about farming and the environment; support movements to improve the RMA system; and collaborate on primary sector initiatives for the development of sustainable farming systems, integrating economic and environmental values.
2. Work with producers, national and regional authorities to ensure that both producers and regulators needs can be met through practical and science based approaches to environmental management .
3. Invest in science and technologies and develop tools that can enhance producers’ ability to produce pork on both and economically and environmentally sustainable basis.

National and Local Authorities

NZPork works with National and Regional authorities to ensure policies and plans are able to support pork production on a fair and reasonable basis. It often does this through submissions on draft plans, providing policy and technical information to support consent processes. To see a list of submissions follow the link above.

Enviropork and Environmental Management System (EMS)

EnviroPork: was developed as a basic guide to managing environmental impacts and is applicable to all pig farmers, irrespective of size and type of production system. EnviroPork gives an overview of how the RMA works and highlights activities on the farm that may have an impact on the environment. To download Enviropork follow the link above. 

The Environmental Management System (EMS) template is an online tool that allows producers to assess their current management performance and then identify areas that could be improved. This template also gives a guide for application of manure (for example, how far away the spreading of manure to land should be from the neighbours). The template is online at http://nzporkems.massey.ac.nz

Science and Technology Transfer Projects.

New Zealand Pork works closely with industry and government to invest in new technologies and ensure that these are delivered to producers in such a way to maximize uptake and successful application. Current projects include: the adaption of overseer for pig manure, the application of biogas systems in the pork industry and identifying best practice environmental management. To see project summaries follow the link above.