Environmentalist Angus Robson wants Cantabrians to protest the fact they aren’t being given the chance to have their say on a 56,500-hectare irrigation consent renewal he claims will increase nitrates to dangerous levels. An environmentalist is urging Cantabrians to fight for the right to have a say on a large irrigation scheme he alleges will increase nitrates to up to 30 times what international studies consider to be safe. Matamata-based campaigner Angus Robson said the Mayfield/Hinds/Valetta (MHV) irrigation scheme in Mid-Canterbury was seeking a 10-year replacement consent for 56,500 hectares of privately-owned farmland. The case would be considered by an independent hearing commissioner and, under the current Environment Canterbury (ECan) plan, did not need to be publicly notified, meaning the public could not make submissions on it. An ECan spokesperson said the council had received similar non-notified replacement consents for 55,000ha in the Barhill-Chertsey Irrigation scheme and 30,000ha in the Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Scheme – both for 10 years also.

Source: Stuff March 03, 2021 16:00 UTC