Is cows’ manure litter?

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32564, 25 March 1971, Page 1

Is cows’ manure litter?

(from Our Own Reporter) WESTPORT, March 24. The Buller County Council has asked its solicitors whether cow manure on county roads can be classed as offensive litter under the Litter Act, 1968. The council is concerned about damage to roads and annoyance to people using them, from dairying herds being taken from their paddocks to milking sheds.

Cr W. H. Marton said the question was difficult, as it was legal to drive cattle on roads and droppings could not be prevented. However, droppings caused pot-holing of sealed sections.

The chairman (Mr N. Christiansen) said there was no desire to embarrass farmers, but roads should not be used as cattle races or stock be allowed to walk across footpaths.

He referred to cows moving in built-up areas such as Market Cross, at Karamea.

“Shopkeepers there, who have to observe health regulations, are annoyed when droppings occur on their frontages,” he said.

Cr J. N. Mouat said that farmers were responsible for 80 per cent of the country’s overseas earnings and they should not be handicapped by any restrictions on stock movements.

Mr Christiansen emphasised that the council was only interested in taking action against farmers who used the road for transferring stock when they could provide their own cattle races.

The council was told that 60 cattle had passed over Market Cross Road the day after it was sealed.