People in rural Canterbury agree more needs to be done to stop nitrates leaching into drinking water but they don't support a call for new research into a possible link between the chemical and bowel cancer.
A Danish study has found a connection between colorectal cancer and even very low nitrate levels.
Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Alistair Humphrey says it is time a similar study was done because the region has high rates of bowel cancer and growing problems with nitrates in the water.
RNZ reporter Jonathan Mitchell has the story.
