Tuesday, 24 April 2018 09:55

Feds question local government’s role

Written by 
Federated Farmers previous president, William Rolleston. Federated Farmers previous president, William Rolleston.

Federated Farmers previous president, William Rolleston, was very supportive of GE and there was a perception that Feds was leading the charge in support of the science — but this could now cost them.

An Environment Court judge has slammed Federated Farmers for pursuing a case regarding limitation on the use of GE in Northland.

When Northland Regional Council declared itself GMO-free Feds went to law and challenged this, but it has lost badly and could face a hefty legal bill for enthusiastically supporting GE.

 Meanwhile the Feds president, Katie Milne, says she’s taken aback by the fervour of the judge’s remarks and the issue of costs. The possible awarding of costs against a party in such an appeal is unusual, she says.

“No one likes decisions that go against them, but we did have a lot of people who supported our stance,” she says.

Katie Milne says Feds took the case because they believed it was wrong for local government to have a role in controlling the use of GMOs and that this should be left to central government. She believes local government doesn’t have the expertise to deal with the GMO issue.

She says the federation is looking to keep the door open to new technologies that could help farmers and she would like to hear a mature, unemotional conversation take place on such technologies.

More like this

Editorial: RMA reforms uproar

OPINION: The euphoria over the Government’s two new bills to replace the broken Resource Management Act is over.

Editorial: Having a rural voice

OPINION: The past few weeks have been tough on farms across the North Island: floods and storms have caused damage and disruption to families and businesses.

Featured

Govt Commits $4m to Rural Wellbeing Initiatives

While the District Field Days brought with it a welcome dose of sunshine, it also attracted a significant cohort of sitting members from the Beehive – as one might expect in an election year.

Shane Jordan Beats Brother to Win NZ Timbersports Title

While not all sibling rivalries come to blows, one headline event at the recent New Zealand Rural Games held in Palmerston North certainly did, when reigning World Champion Jack Jordan was denied the opportunity of defending his world title in Europe later this year, after being beaten by his big brother’s superior axle blows, at the Stihl Timbersports Nationals.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Next CEO

OPINION: Who will replace Miles Hurrell as Fonterra's next CEO?

Fuel Crisis

OPINION: Governments all over the world are dealing with the fuel crisis.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter