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3. Areas of focus in 2006/2007

The 2005/2006 Snapshot of Progress identified several Accord targets and issues to work on over the 2006/2007 season.

Increased adoption of nutrient management plans

A key focus and highlight for 2006/2007 was improving progress towards the nutrient management target. While the 2007 Accord target was not quite met, the results show there has been a significant increase in the number of farmers with a nutrient budget.

The adoption of nutrient budgets is an important and commendable step towards implementing full nutrient management plans. However, both Fonterra and fertiliser companies recognise that many of these nutrient budgets may not be fully implemented. As a result, Fonterra will be working alongside the fertiliser industry in 2007/08 to ensure there is a coordinated approach in helping farmers to implement nutrient management plans. The two industries are working closely to identify priority catchments and to set goals and timeframes for the implementation of nutrient management plans.

Improved monitoring tools

Monitoring the environmental impact of the Accord began in the 2005/2006 dairying season. The Ministry for the Environment is collating data as part of a long-term monitoring and reporting strategy, with regional council environmental monitoring staff collecting data in each region. A baseline report from which progress can be measured in future will be published by the Ministry for the Environment in 2008.

Regional Action Plans implemented

Regional councils and Fonterra have continued to cooperate and focus on the implementation of Regional Action Plans (RAPs) over 2006/2007. RAPs have been developed and implemented with each of the regional councils. These allow each region to focus on the Accord targets of significance to that region.

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