Canterbury Regional Council has released tough new rules on stock access to waterways.

From June 2012 pigs and cows are banned from entering all lakes, streams and rivers in the region.

Farmers are being advised to begin planning how they will manage their stock to comply with the new rules.

Environment Canterbury Commissioner Tom Lambie makes no apology for the ruling and says the new stock exclusion rules are strong. It is his organisation’s responsibility to check they are adhered to.

Our preference is to work with farmers to ensure there is widespread understanding of what needs to be done, he says.

For more information follow www.ecan.govt.nz/nrrp