Dry weather classification expands to North Island
The dry weather in some parts of the North Island has received medium-scale adverse event classification from the Government.
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.
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.
Listed Canterbury milk processor Synlait’s shares have been placed in a trading halt.
OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.
A step-by-step guide helping farmers through the process of creating a Freshwater Farm Plan (FWFP) has been launched by FarmIQ.
OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.
OPINION: The hustle and bustle of one of Bangkok's most popular fast food outlets may feel a world away from…