Call to report any effluent on roads
MOTO NZ’s Operation Green Line is ramping up again for the June and July ‘‘Gypsy Season’’, when more stock than ever is transported from farm to farm, resulting in more frequent stock effluent spills on the roads.
‘‘We said last year that we hoped Operation Green Line would be a one-off effort and the problem would be over with,’’ said Gareth Morgan, chairman of MOTO NZ.
‘‘The livestock industry has made great strides in improving the situation but we’re still keen to see further progress.’’
Mr Morgan said one of the most important things they could do was get a clear view of where the problems were, how bad they were, how often they were happening and how many road users were affected.
‘‘So we’re encouraging anyone who sees a stock effluent spill on the road to report it to us. We’ll collect the data and follow up with the relevant council and the National Stock Effluent Working Group,’’ he said.
‘‘Last year’s reporting effort resulted in two prosecutions, so don’t think there’s no point in making a report. In fact it’s only the people using the roads and affected by this hazard who can keep us properly informed about it.’’
Reports can be made on the MOTO NZ website at motonz.org.nz/projects/ greenline.
The group is interested in knowing about any stock effluent encountered on the road – minor or major spills, new or old, wet or dry.
All represent a danger to road users but are a particular safety hazard for motorcyclists.
Any road user can make a report at any time of the year.