Editorial: Common sense prevails
OPINION: Finally there's clarity for farmers around freshwater management regulations.
Farmer reaction is mixed to the Government’s Zero Carbon Amendment Bill introduced into Parliament last week.
While most go along with the principle of reducing greenhouses gases, there is some angst about the targets set by the Government in the Bill.
The Bill sets a target of reducing all greenhouse gases, except biogenic methane, to net zero by 2050.
It also seeks to reduce emissions of biogenic methane to a range of 24% to 47% below 2017 levels by 2050, including reducing these to 10% below 2017 levels by 2050.
Also, the Government plans to set up an independent Climate Change Commission which will advise, monitor and review the targets on an ongoing basis.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says climate change is now front and centre of awareness in New Zealand -- the biggest challenge facing NZ. She says NZer’s have demanded action and the Bill is actioning that call.
“This legislation makes a start on tackling climate change because the alternative is the catastrophic cost of doing nothing. Agriculture is of course incredibly important to NZ but it also needs to be a part of the solution,” she says.
Ardern says in developing the legislation they have listened to the science and the industry and the result is a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the need to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst impact of climate change.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw says the Bill makes this target legally binding and says NZ is one of the few countries in the world to do this.
At the news conference at Parliament, James Shaw praised opposition leader Simon Bridges and Todd Muller, National’s spokesman on climate change for their support in developing the Bill.
He says this means there is an enduring commitment to dealing with climate change.
A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.
Free workshops focused on managing risk in sharefarming got underway last week.
Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.
Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.
WoolWorks, New Zealand’s largest wool-scouring company, has partnered with the Lions Club of Riverton to help raise money for much-needed repairs to the Southland town’s swimming pool.
OPINION: The dairy industry will be a major beneficiary of a new free trade deal between NZ and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).
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.