Pathogen Pathways – Soil Risk Index
2. Introduction
Microbial contamination of water bodies is widespread in New Zealand (Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment 2004). Sources include livestock, both domesticated and feral, and irrigated effluent, both animal and municipal. Grazing animals probably present a more diffuse source of microbes compared to the point source of effluent irrigation. Recognising this, the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) established the consortium-based Pathogen Transmission Routes Research Program (PTRRP) in 2002 to quantify the relative significance of key microbial transmission routes from farm animals to water bodies. The final report by the consortium has been completed (Collins et al. 2005). The purpose of this report, separately funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Science Policy Unit, is to focus on models to depict spatially the risk of microbial transport from farm animal excreta and effluent irrigation of animal waste from land to water.
Contact for Enquiries
Phil Journeaux
Manager
North Island Regions
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 7 957 8313
Fax: +64 7 957 8315
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