Avian flu poses top biosecurity threat to NZ, says Hoggard
Avian flu getting into New Zealand's poultry industry is the biosecurity threat that is most worrying for Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
The Manawatu farmer says ACT espouses principles he stands for.
"I have seen what they have been talking about and doing and I agree with them," Hoggard told Dairy News.
"As a team in Parliament, they have been stable and performed very well. They better represent the values I stand for."
Hoggard is one of New Zealand's best known farming leaders. His decision to stand for ACT has raised a few eyebrows because the farming community is seen as the National Party's powerbase.
When asked why not the National Party, Hoggard says he would ask "why not the ACT Party?"
"I feel they espouse principles that I stand for: it's a natural home for me."
Hoggard resigned as Feds president last week, two months before his three-year term was due to expire.
Media speculation about Hoggard standing on an ACT ticket started two weeks ago. Hoggrd believes rumours had been circulating for weeks before that.
"Once it came out in the media, it was untenable for me to continue as president," he says.
Hoggard has been replaced by vice-president Wayne Langford. A new president, almost certain to be Langford, will be elected at Feds' annual conference in July.
Hoggard says once he had resigned from Feds, he met with ACT Party officials and they decided to announce his candidacy.
He will contest the Rangitikei seat but will campaign throughout the country for the party vote.
ACT MP and agriculture spokesman Mark Camero says it's great to have another farmer on board.
"It will add to the rural impetus that's grown alongside ACT over the last two-and-a-half years," he told Dairy News.
"Ultimately it is going to give the rural sector the voice it deserves, something that's been missing for at least three election cycles."
In a statement, ACT says it's thrilled to have Hoggard standing as a candidate.
"As a farmer and an industry leader, Andrew knows the issues farmers are facing as well as anyone in New Zealand.
"For the past three years, he's been on the frontline representing farmers as Labour and the Greens have piled unworkable red tape on rural New Zealand."
"Andrew will make a superb MP and he and Mark Cameron will make a formidable team representing rural New Zealand.
"ACT was the only party to vote against the Zero Carbon Act. We're the only party proposing to repeal He Waka Eke Noa.
"We've consistently opposed the Government's freshwater rules, Significant Natural Areas, the live animal export ban, the ute tax, and more.
"We can't wait for Andrew to join us and continue his work in Parliament," says ACT.
