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**SannyGlow** · 09-25-2011, 06:41 AM

Public health fears rise as cows lay waste to rivers
VICTORIAN rivers and streams are in a state of decline and pose serious threats to human health thanks to an unpleasant culprit: cow poo. Monash University research has renewed concerns about the poor condition of rivers, which environmentalists say are suffering due to ''Third World management'' of public land.

The latest research, to be released today, confirms long-held fears that grazing cattle damage rivers by leaving waste in the water, as well as increasing the potential for toxic algae blooms. It also notes uncontrolled cattle access to rivers can affect water quality due to pathogens in cow faeces. While many towns have water filtration systems to remove these, some do not, putting people at risk of health problems.

The report, Riverside Rescue, was commissioned by the Victorian National Parks Association to coincide with World Rivers Day, today. It comes as the Baillieu government faces growing pressure to boost its environmental credentials after widespread criticism over issues such as the state's 20 per cent emissions reduction target, cattle grazing in the Alpine national park, and restrictions on wind farms.
Association spokesman Nick Roberts said successive governments have had years to lift their game, but ''instead we are encouraging poor management of rivers polluted by cattle and cattle poo''. ''It's not just about eroding the river banks, or threats to native plants and animals - it's about a whole range of human health impacts,'' Mr Roberts said.

The report also states:
■ More than 30,000 kilometres of Victoria's publicly owned land abuts inland waterways.
■ About 80 per cent of the total length of Victoria's rivers is in very poor condition, with only 14 per cent rated as being in excellent condition. Full story @ the Age

Might be a campaign underway here......

09-25-2011, 06:41 AM	#6
SannyGlow Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 598 Senior Member	Public health fears rise as cows lay waste to rivers VICTORIAN rivers and streams are in a state of decline and pose serious threats to human health thanks to an unpleasant culprit: cow poo. Monash University research has renewed concerns about the poor condition of rivers, which environmentalists say are suffering due to ''Third World management'' of public land. The latest research, to be released today, confirms long-held fears that grazing cattle damage rivers by leaving waste in the water, as well as increasing the potential for toxic algae blooms. It also notes uncontrolled cattle access to rivers can affect water quality due to pathogens in cow faeces. While many towns have water filtration systems to remove these, some do not, putting people at risk of health problems. The report, Riverside Rescue, was commissioned by the Victorian National Parks Association to coincide with World Rivers Day, today. It comes as the Baillieu government faces growing pressure to boost its environmental credentials after widespread criticism over issues such as the state's 20 per cent emissions reduction target, cattle grazing in the Alpine national park, and restrictions on wind farms. Association spokesman Nick Roberts said successive governments have had years to lift their game, but ''instead we are encouraging poor management of rivers polluted by cattle and cattle poo''. ''It's not just about eroding the river banks, or threats to native plants and animals - it's about a whole range of human health impacts,'' Mr Roberts said. The report also states: ■ More than 30,000 kilometres of Victoria's publicly owned land abuts inland waterways. ■ About 80 per cent of the total length of Victoria's rivers is in very poor condition, with only 14 per cent rated as being in excellent condition. Full story @ the Age Might be a campaign underway here......
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