1 June 2011
MOTO NZ today launched a new campaign aimed at ending effluent spills on our roads.
'Operation Green Line' coincides with the start of the 'gypsy' season, a two-month period across June and July when large numbers of stock are shifted from farm to farm.
MOTO NZ Chairperson, Dr Gareth Morgan, says although progress has been made on this issue it remains too common a hazard for road users and for motorcyclists it's particularly dangerous.
“Effluent on our roads isn't just a smelly annoyance that can potentially ruin your riding gear. Encountering it on corners can pose an extreme safety issue, while effluent mist on your visor or an oncoming car's windscreen endangers everyone,” he says.
While the National Stock Effluent Working Group has developed industry guidelines to address some of our concerns, Morgan says “more needs to be done to stop the spills on our roads.”
We are launching an appeal to all road users to report spillages. “It's not a case of dobbing in farmers or truck drivers – we're after better data on the extent and location of these problems so we can work with the livestock industry to improve compliance with the guidelines,” says Morgan.
Motorcyclists – and car drivers – are encouraged to report any effluent spills by texting DUNG to 244 or they can go to the MOTO NZ website www.motonz.org.nz, and file a quick report.
Morgan hopes this will be the first and last campaign of its type. MOTO NZ will also join the National Stock Effluent Working Group and continue to work with farmers, hauliers and roading authorities until the spills stop.
For more information go to the Green Line Project page.