Editorial: O Canada
OPINION: The Canadian government's love affair with its lifestyle dairy farmers has got it into trouble once again.
Tributes flew last week at the official farewell in Wellington for the retiring chair of Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, Malcolm Bailey.
Diplomats from Ireland, the UK and Japan joined an array of senior government officials, parliamentarians and former trade representatives to honour the outstanding contribution of Bailey to the dairy sector and the country as a whole. Also present was the new chair of DCANZ, Matt Bolger, who managed to have a special chat to Ireland’s Ambassador, Peter Ryan, who leaves NZ this week to take up the post of Ambassador to Nigeria. The Bolgers have strong Irish connections.
The guests included Mike Petersen, Tim Groser, Ministry for Primary Industries chief executive Ray Smith, trade negotiator Vangelis Vitalis, DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel and DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle. Also present were National MPs Todd McClay and Barbara Kuriger, Sirma Karapeeva from MIA, Beef+Lamb CEO Sam McIvor along with representatives of the various dairy companies that make up DCANZ.
In paying tribute to her now former boss, DCANZ chief executive Kimberly Crewther said Bailey was very passionate about the importance of free trade and forthright in his opinions.
“In 2000 he was quoted as saying trade protectionism is nuts. Twenty years on he described trade protectionism as just plain stupid and no one was left in any doubt about what Malcolm thought,” she said.
Crewther quoted a top trade official who said, “Malcolm combined all the best qualities that were traditionally expected from this sector, particularly in these challenging times. His determined roll up the sleeves and get the shit done, combined with the real strategic vision and long term thinking”.
She said, crucially, Bailey understood the role that trade plays in NZ’s prosperity by ensuring we can continue to deliver high quality primary exports to the world in spite of all the international barriers, direct and indirect, thrown in our path.
“Along with his vision he had the skill to speak plain language and communicate clearly, whether that be [to] Prime Ministers, officials and others in the sector.”
OPINION: Farmers nationwide will be rubbing their hands with glee at the latest news from the Government about the RMA reforms.
Holstein Friesian NZ and Link Livestock have agreed on a strategic partnership to provide HFNZ members with comprehensive services from one of New Zealand's most respected dairy men.
Rural retailer Farmlands has launched a new casual clothing range available across 42 stores nationwide and through its online store.
Federated Farmers says the health and safety changes announced this week by the Government represent the start of overdue reforms.
The Government is calling on rural New Zealanders to share their views on proposed regulations designed to improve the management of farm plastic waste.
For many urban New Zealanders, stepping into Pāmu’s Pinta dairy farm near Taupo last month was the first time they had had the chance to experience farm life up close.
OPINION: Is it the beginning of the end for Greenpeace?
OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.