Riparian Planting

Any farmer that thinks they are not responsible for fencing and planting riparian margins along significant waterways on their farm is dreaming. I have heard some farmers say that because they do not own the waterway, they should not have to pay for or carry out riparian margin plantings, believing it to be the responsibility of their Regional Council to cough-up. Although farmers do not own the waterway, their farming business, even in the most organic or carefully managed of situations, has the potential to discharge nutrient run-off into it. It is the farmer's responsibility to ensure that they reduce this risk of nutrient run-off from their business into the public waterways surrounding their farming operation. Well maintained riparian margins are proven as the best way to absorb nutrient run-off before it can enter the waterways. It is a selfish and ignorant opinion not to plant. Spare a though for the rest of the farming community who want to retain pristine waterways for the future generations.