The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies ingested nitrate and nitrite, under conditions that lead to endogenous nitrosation, as Group 2A: Probably Carcinogenic to Humans. This means there is limited evidence in humans and sufficient evidence in experimental animals for carcinogenicity. The concern arises because ingested nitrates and nitrites can convert to
At its final meeting the Environment Canterbury Regional Council voted to declare a Nitrate Emergency for Canterbury’s ground water.
As early as 1983, a panel of agricultural economics and other assembled experts produced the 220 page report: Review and Assessment of Research Priorities for Lower Rakaia and Central Plains Irrigation Planning K. L. Leathers, et al.
This report correctly predicted that if the Central Plains Water and Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation schemes went ahead nitrate levels in the groundwater of
It is now apparent we still do not have sufficient knowledge or adequate regulations to manage Canterbury’s nitrate crisis.
[In response to the 2008 global recession, the Key government passed the ECan Act 2010 under urgency to replace elected ECan councillors with commissioners of his own to “Fast Track” Canterbury’s irrigation development.]
ECan’s Director of Science, a hydrologist, has “managed the story” using models such as AquiferSIM and the now discredited OVERSEER as the foundation of consent “farm environment plans”. His arguments rely on his assertions that nitrate leaching is a long standing legacy issue that will take generations to resolve. He is unable to state how many generations.
OVERSEER has been exposed in the report Overseer limitations MPI Technical Paper no: 2021/12
With little concern for the environment or the health of Canterbury residents the government and farming lobbyist whose wealth is dependent on privatised profits and socialised pollution have gone on the offensive with a smear campaign to vilify any party that raises concerns that nitrate pollution may be creating greater long term environmental and public health costs than its short term unsustainable economic benefits.
The public are left wondering who to trust as opinion shapers such as shock jock Mike Hosking and Jamie Mackay of the radio show The Country, a former sheep farmer and a current equity partner in a Southland dairy farm spin the story in support of the politicians and farmers for all they are worth.
As councillor Vicky Southworth noted, a precautionary approach makes the greatest sense.
There have been many cynical attempts at damage control by “NZ Inc”, (the government and their farming sponsors);
An ESR Ltd “risk assessment” commissioned by Fonterra and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, conducted by two toxicologist who assumed people would ingest
Lincoln College plant professor Derrick Moot stated in a recent podcast that nitrate is good for you.
https://www.rova.nz/podcasts/
Adjunct professor at Lincoln, Dr Jacqueline Rowarth also holds herself up as an expert despite being removed following her appointment as chief scientist to New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Agency due to issues of credibility (Wikipedia).
Her approach is to claim the academic high ground while accusing environmentalists and others as reactionaries reluctant to lose their funding streams. There is a sad twist to this story as the Department of Freshwater Ecology at Massey had its funding removed resulting in Dr Russell Death losing tenure at this university at the end of 2023.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/
A joint DOC and Fonterra project that claimed to have set up a template to restore streams around New Zealand was exposed when an OIA request found the drain feeding the LII River where the project took place dried up and the bags of media intended to reduce nitrate burst. Forget these facts, just post a good news story on the website.
The vilification of Dr Mike Joy for speaking truth to power.
Deregulation, Fast Track consents, and passing Canterbury’s nitrate emergency off as “election spin” is the sort of leadership we have come to expect from the present coalition government
The two ECan candidates for
A case of if you want more of the same vote for the same.
As both candidates are dairy farmers could there be an element of
Come on Canterbury and New Zealand, it is past time to accept we do have a nitrate emergency in this region. Lets get on and sort it our for all our sakes.
Dr Peter Trolove
Angling advocate and ECan candidate for
