Methane campaign is 100% politics
OPINION: We are endlessly told that livestock are responsible for half of New Zealand's total emissions.
OPINION: People have criticised Christopher Luxon for the time he’s taken to appoint a new chief science advisor.
Well, just like good cheese, some things are worth waiting for and the news that Dr John Roche has got the top job is a masterstroke and great news for the primary sector.
The decision was worth waiting for to get a science leader of the caliber of John Roche. At last, there is someone in the Beehive mix who is a highly respected and internationally recognised agricultural scientist, who can take grassroots farmer, industry and agricultural science matters directly to the boss – the Prime Minister.
For too long, agriculture has been on the outer in terms of science but wisely the Government has seen that quality practical science – especially agriculture – is the answer to economic growth and prosperity.
Luxon’s clear message that ‘bold and courageous decisions need to be made about those (science) areas that aren’t delivering value to NZ’ is laying it on the line to some academics who have indulged themselves in what the late Robert Muldoon caustically described as ‘fun subjects’.
Criticism that the advisory panel has a significant focus on ‘dairy’ says it all. These same people would be without a job and a good lifestyle if it wasn’t for dairy – so get over it and face reality.
While the advisory panel does have people on it from the primary sector, they are all smart individuals with proven ability to innovate and translate that into effective business propositions so good science, in whatever field, will surely not be neglected as some might suggest.
Roche is an intelligent, charming individual (helped a fair bit by his Irishness) with a stellar CV who is constantly in demand as a speaker internationally and locally on matters of science. To top it off, he is a fabulous communicator of science and is a fantastic choice for this important role.
Fertiliser co-operative Ballance has written down $88 million - the full value of its Kapuni urea plant in Taranaki - from its balance sheet in the face of a looming gas shortage.
The Government and horticulture sector have unveiled a new roadmap with an aim to double horticulture farmgate returns by 2035.
Canterbury farmers and the Police Association say they are frustrated by proposed cuts to rural policing in the region.
The strain and pressure of weeks of repairing their flood-damaged properties is starting to tell on farmers and orchardists in the Tasman district.
The sale price of Fonterra’s global consumer and associated businesses to the world’s largest dairy company Lactalis has risen to $4.22 billion.
Alliance Group's proposal to sell a 65% shareholding to Ireland's Dawn Meats won't solve the red meat industry's structural problems, says former Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams.
OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery…
OPINION: Sydney has a $12 million milk disposal problem.