Reducing the impact of damage to our waterways from livestock
When livestock enter water bodies they contaminate the water and damage the banks. This compromises New Zealanders’ ability to use waterbodies for recreation and mahinga kai (food gathering).
Heavy livestock (cattle and deer) and pigs have the greatest impact.
Livestock can carry disease-causing organisms like campylobacter, which can make people sick when they come into contact with water contaminated with livestock dung.
Dung and urine also contain nutrients that promote weed growth and decrease the water body’s ability to support a healthy ecosystem.
When stock trample banks and beds of water bodies they increase streambank erosion and sediment runoff. This has an adverse effect on habitats including those used for fish spawning.