Politics

MPs to visit proposed intensive farming sites

05:58 am on 24 January 2010

Three National MPs will visit proposed intensive dairy farm sites in the Upper Waitaki region on Sunday, on behalf of the Minister for the Environment.

They are Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean, Agriculture Minister David Carter and Associate Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson.

Concerns have been raised by tourism, farming and environmental groups about the proposal which would see 17,000 cattle housed inside for much of the year.

The Government has the option to call in the application process, which is being run by Canterbury Regional Council, as a project of national significance.

Ms Dean says concerns about large-scale farms include future water allocation and environmental issues.