Federated Farmers is standing firm on its decision not to sign an accord to improve water standards in the Manawatu River.

27 parties, including Fonterra and several local authorities, signed the accord on Monday, committing to improving water quality and limiting waste poured into the river.

But the Federated Farmers Board is yet to ratify the accord. Tararua President John Barrow says the group needs time to look over the document, but some of the emotive language it uses isn’t helpful.

“From a farming perspective we do need direction with this stuff. There’s a perception out there that farmers are just a dirty pack of buggers  and don’t care. That couldn’t be further from the truth, but there has to be a sound direction on the way to do things that [is] cost effective.”

Associate water spokesman Lachlan McKenzie says Horizons Regional Council is to blame for the delay – trying to force the Feds hand on signing.

“The fault lies 100% with the manipulating and the politicking of some people within the regional council. We are happy to talk and to work through the issues at any time, but we will not be manipulated by falsehoods within the media.”