Peter Trolove

My principal place of residence is in the Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi Constituency area.

As a retired, qualified production animal and fish veterinarian with more than 50 years’ experience, I am concerned by the increasingly polluted state of our groundwater, rivers and aquatic ecosystems.

This compromises both public health, and limits recreational opportunities.

I believe this legacy issue is due to constantly putting irrigation development ahead of the environment — using public funds to take and use a public resource.

My knowledge and concerns of excess nitrate leaching from dairy cows prompted me to privately test ground and surface water in the Ōpakihi ward.

Public health is dependent on clean water, and healthy environments. There has been no improvement with this in more than 5 years.

I believe corporate farming should be held accountable for corporate pollution.

The marked decline in our regional fisheries, is unacceptable.

We have a duty to address these issues, with urgency — for current and future generations.