A Wairarapa man says someone needs to be held accountable for allowing cattle to pollute his local river.
Grant Muir says cattle from two farms have been grazing along the Pahaoa River for the past eight weeks, defecating into the water and destroying plant life.
At least one cow has died and its corpse has been left to decay.
Farmers are legally allowed to use the water, but Mr Muir says that what is happening is inexcusable.
He says the farmers involved have shown a blatant disregard for the environment and their cattle have destroyed the local ecosystem.
Mr Muir says sheep and beef farmers need to be held to account and should follow the same rules and best practice as Fonterra dairy farmers.
