'Putting common sense back in the room'
ACT MP Mark Cameron says the Government is bringing common sense “back in the room” by halting the rollout of freshwater farm plans.
At a time when New Zealand's rural sector is already carrying a large can to keep the country's finances in the black, it looks like that can will get a little heavier.
The Government's recently released Clean Car Discount Package is designed to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles with cash rebates of up to $8,625 for those purchasing "pure" electric vehicles (EV).
While the ida of everyone driving around in EVs is laudable, from January 2022 the sting in the tail will be a penalty of around $3,000 on the purchase price of utes, which will be used to subsidise the "go green" initiative.
This means that farmers, rural supply companies and an army of tradies who need these larger vehicles for their day-to-day work, will be subsidising urban dwellers to help them buy a low emission runabout or town car.
The penalty may increase even further in January 2023 when the Government's Clean Car Standards come into play - aimed at penalising manufacturers of vehicles with higher CO₂ emissions, meaning a further hike in purchase prices.
David Crawford, chief executive of the Motor Industry Association, says the problem for users of such vehicles is there are currently no alternatives available. He says while there is talk of electric utes being available by 2030, even hybrid utes are not likely before the middle of the decade.
In the same vein, DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle is suggesting that because of the fact that vehicles of this type are essential for farmers and rural professionals, rather than a "nice to have" purchase, they should be exempt from the scheme until other greener options are readily available.
Some industry observers are suggesting that the financial implications of the government initiative might result in some users holding on to and running older, dirtier vehicles, while trade-in prices for these vehicles is likely to take a hit.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.