Farmers simply need to change.

Farmers simply need to change.

Three decades of concentrated use of chemical nutrient and salt based fertilisers are now leaching and threatening our waterways.. Farmers could prevent leaching by simply using alternative farming practices that not only maintain production but look after our environment as well. Farmers only need to change the way they treat their soil. By applying natural fertilisers that encourage healthier levels of microbial activity in the soil. This will capture and digests nitrates and phosphates naturally, holding them in the soil and preventing them from being leached. A thick living humus top soil that works a bit like a living working sponge. By simply changing the type of fertiliser being applied farms will quickly revitalise the soil and begin to stop the flow of toxic nutrient runoff into our waterways. Natural farming systems on farms surrounding waterways can stop farm nitrates and phosphate leaching at its source. Where riparian zone planting is merely a filter at the end and does not address the problem. Much like an ambulance at the bottom off the cliff. And like car filter will eventually clog up and will need to be replaced over time. But combining both riparian planting with natural fertiliser use on the land itself will bring back the soil to life and revitalise the waterways much more efficiently. But of course farmers politicians and local council representatives need to be brave and think outside the square for this to happen. A tall ask when theres so much money still being made in the chemical fertiliser industry owned by farmers. Then again the world is having to change its mind set on environmental pollutors and we will need to change with it or pay the price. My advice to farmers would be to change now rather than later.

Rusty Kane
Leader of The People's Choice Party
New Zealand.