Rewarding farmers who embrace sustainability
Winners of DairyNZ’s Sustainability and Stewardship awards in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards have their eyes firmly fixed on progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy.
DairyNZ claims that when it comes to emissions pricing, no deal would be better than a bad deal and only a fair and reasonable system will be accepted for farmers.
The industry organisation’s chair, Jim van der Poel, says the Government’s emissions pricing proposal threatens the viability of farming businesses and rural communities, and is not acceptable to farmers.
“DairyNZ is committed to securing a fair pricing system for farmers and we would like to see the Government revert to the He Waka Eke Noa recommendations put forward in May,” he says.
“The Government’s suggestion it has given the sector what we asked for – with ‘small tweaks’ – is incorrect. The changes are significant and cut to the very core of the He Waka Eke Noa partnership.
“Changes to the way price will be set and limiting the recognition farmers can get for planting has thrown the proposal off-kilter. We want an enduring system and that means we need to get back to a place that works for everyone,” Van der Poel says.
He isn’t alone in his opposition to the emissions pricing plan.
Since the plan was announced last month, politicians, industry leaders and farmers alike have voiced their opposition to the plan, with a nationwide protest held on 20 October.
Public support seems to have been weak, with one Curia poll commissioned by Federated Farmers showing that 57% of Kiwis are opposed to it.
Van der Poel says farmers are worried the policy will have significant implications for them, their businesses, and communities.
“It makes no sense to penalise Kiwi farmers, only to see an increase in global emissions,” he says.
“We must reduce our emissions, but we can't drive blindly toward targets at all costs. We have to remember why we're doing this in the first place. The Paris Agreement is about reducing global emissions, not just New Zealand's.”
The consultation on the pricing proposal ends on 18 November.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
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Atiamuri farmers Paul and Lesley Grey never gave up their dream of owning their own farm – and in 2020, that dream came true.
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