[2] The stated purpose of the accord is to provide "a statement of intent and framework for actions to promote sustainable dairy farming in New Zealand.
[10] In a report jointly released by Fish and Game New Zealand and Forest and Bird the Accord is criticised for failing to improve water quality.
A Federated Farmers review was critical of the report and claimed it was poorly constructed, was written as a campaign tool, made unfounded suppositions and contained "leaps in logic".
[12] The review, written by Federated Farmers including a staff member who has a diploma in communications and public relations, could be open to criticism.
[13] The 2008/2009 report, released in March 2010, was criticised by Fonterra, Federated Farmers and the Minister of Agriculture David Carter saying that it revealed unacceptable levels of effluent management.