The Green Party is introducing a members’ bill today that will reduce environmental degradation as a result of dairy intensification by requiring all cows to wear nappies.
“There are too many cows making too much waste for our environment to handle. Cow nappies are a simple way to keep that waste off the land and out of our waterways,” said Green Party co-leader James Shaw.
“Cow number 1s and 2s are responsible for degradation of our waterways through run-off and leaching. Cow nappies will keep our water safe from pollution.
“Organic fair trade, gluten-free, kale hemp nappies have been developed by local community groups and are available in calf, heifer and bull sizes.
“Cow nappies save our environment and provide good green jobs.
“Not only are these nappies biodegradable and carbon neutral, they also neutralise methane emissions.
“The best thing is cow nappies are 100 percent sustainable. Just whip them off Daisy at the milking shed and add them to your permaculture biodynamic compost bio digester. No need for artificial fertiliser.
“With the number of cows in New Zealand right now, there’s plenty of demand for cow nappies. The material they are produced from - organic kale hemp - can even be grown on the roof of the Beehive.
“New Zealanders are leaders at finding solutions to the world’s problems – it’s in our number 8 wire attitude. Years from now, people will be saying New Zealanders have a cow nappy attitude, that’s how ground-breaking these things are,” said Mr Shaw.