ORC piling more regulation on farmers - Feds
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Although a Canterbury farmer and trucking company are in the clear over animal welfare violations, that is no cause for complacency, warns Federated Farmers.
An MPI investigation into the transport of a consignment of cull dairy cows across Cook Straight has found no animal welfare breaches against either the farmer or transport company.
Federated Farmers’ Dairy chair Andrew Hoggard says there are clear messages from this high profile case, which had pictures of the cows shared on Facebook thousands of times, resulting in complaints to MPI.
“Even when stock comply with the provisions of the animal species’ and transport welfare codes of practice, there will be some people who will try to portray those stock in a bad light. For what ever reason that is, if they are going to report it to MPI, it needs to be backed up with facts.”
“People are quite free to express their opinions, but in my view the only people qualified on an animal welfare line-call are trained veterinarians. If there is a genuine concern, the farmer, industry body or local provincial presidents are available as the first port of call.”
However, Hoggard also has a word of caution for farmers. “Farmers can’t be complacent around animal welfare. Just because you don’t get prosecuted or your critics might have ulterior motives doesn’t absolve you from your responsibilities.”
“Farmers must especially exercise care when they are loading stock for transport. They and the truckers both have responsibilities. The code says stock must not be transported if they have any injuries, diseases, or they are behaving abnormally. If a farmer has any doubt then they should involve a vet for advice.”
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.