Fonterra says a pilot programme checking effluent management on farms in Waikato is off to a good start.
The programme was introduced after the industry was criticised for its lowest level of compliance, so far, with effluent discharge rules.
In February, data from the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord showed 15% of farms were significantly non-compliant with council rules.
Fonterra aims to halve those figures in 18 months. Milk supply general manager Tim Deane says more than 100 properties have been checked, with no major concerns.
He says the programme will be rolled out across the country in August.
