Climate Justice Taranaki wrong on Landfarming
Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand (PEPANZ) Chief Executive Cameron Madgwick says claims by Climate Justice Taranaki that landfarms are toxic waste disposal sites are simply wrong and have no scientific basis.
Mr Madgwick was responding to comments made by Climate Justice Taranaki to the South Taranaki District Council during a hearing on its District Plan.
Mr Madgwick says landfarming is nothing more than taking the ground-up rocks, mud and minerals left over from drilling activities and recycling them by placing them underneath the topsoil.
鈥淲hile naturally occurring hydrocarbons might be found in this material, they will be in such low concentrations they pose very little risk,鈥� says Mr Madgwick.
鈥淎 report released last year by Landcare Research found oil and gas drilling waste material is considered to pose no attributable risk to food safety or animal waste, particularly when wastes are incorporated into the shallow subsoil with topsoil.
鈥淎ll the waste used for land farming are naturally occurring elements and research actually shows it can significantly improve the quality of unproductive land.
鈥淎pplying drilling waste materials onto the coastal and sandy farmland in coastal Taranaki has resulted in vast improvements to that land, which now produces high quality clover-based pastures.
鈥淟andfarming allows rocks and minerals to be recycled to improve the productivity of some soils. It increases clay content and improves the soils ability to retain water and nutrients, and any hydrocarbons present will be broken down naturally by soil organisms.
Mr Madgwick says that given the benefits of landfarming, it is a common and accepted practice internationally to spread these left-over rocks and minerals into the soil.
鈥淭he public can be assured that the oil and gas industry takes health and safety extremely seriously and the industry is governed by strong regulation to protect the environment,鈥� says Mr Madgwick.
鈥淭he Taranaki Regional Council has rigorous monitoring procedures in place that govern the operation of landfarms that sees regular reviewing, testing and evaluation and the Ministry of Primary Industries have put in place guidelines for food producers and processors.
鈥淭o claim landfarming is unsafe is wrong and ignores the scientific evidence that shows landfarming is safe and has many benefits,鈥� says Mr Madgwick.