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Sustainability

Our pristine and scenic land on the West Coast is the lifeblood for our dairy farmers, and sustainability has to be a key priority. With tourism the second largest economic contributor to the West Coast, we must also protect our precious natural resources.

In acknowledgement of this, our environmentally responsible farms are sustainably run with a view to protecting our heritage for future generations to come. West Coast dairy farmers are soon to operate under a Code of Practice which requires all dairy farmers to implement appropriate best management practices with regards to environmental, animal welfare and farm presentation standards. The Code of Practice will be a binding document for all Westland dairy farmers.

Strategic Goals and Best Practice

Key strategic goals have been set up by Westland and the West Coast Regional Council to be achieved by 2015 and include the following:

  • The dairy industry remains economically successful
  • The impact of dairying on the environment is minimised
  • Water quality in dairy catchment areas is maintained or enhanced 

Best management practices have also been adopted by dairy farmers to ensure:

  • Dairy effluent treatment disposal is managed in line with the Resource Management Act 1991
  • West Coast Regional Council and Westland Milk Products have established a system of collaborative information sharing, monitoring, reporting and proactive forward planning.
  • Nationally adopted industry strategies, in particular environmental, animal welfare and bio-security, are supported. 
  • The dairy industry is highly regarded publicly for its contribution to economic wellbeing and environmental sustainability. 

Emissions Trading Scheme 

We recently signed up to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) voluntary participation programme – a precursor to January 2012 when it will be required by law for agricultural operators such as ourselves to operate within an annual allocation of carbon credits.