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The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) opposed introducing a tough bottom line for nitrogen levels in rivers over concerns the economic impact would outweigh the environmental benefit, documents show.
Emails show MPI staff wanted the economic cost of introducing a bottom line pushed more prominently in a Cabinet paper about nitrogen level options put to ministers in May 2020.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
MPI repeatedly clashed with the Ministry for the Environment (MfE), even though scientific experts said a Dissolved Organic Nitrogen (DIN) level of 1 mg/L was the best way to protect rivers.
Emails obtained under the Official Information Act show MPI staff wanted the economic cost of introducing a bottom line pushed more prominently in a cabinet paper about nitrogen level options put to ministers in May 2020.
Opinion – Dr Peter Trolove In the US the Environmental Protection Agency EPA sets the limit for safe drinking water at 10mg/L NO3-N In New Zealand the maximum acceptable value for nitrate in drinking water is 11.3 mg/L Both these limits are considered toxic for human babies …
In the US the Environmental Protection Agency EPA sets the limit for safe drinking water at 10mg/L NO3-N
In New Zealand the maximum acceptable value for nitrate in drinking water is 11.3 mg/L
Both these limits are considered toxic for human babies less than 6 months old.
In Canterbury the Canterbury Regional Council, (Ecan), is responsible for managing the region’s freshwater quality, quantity, and ecosystems through managing land use.