Editorial: Drought dilemma
OPINION: As of last Thursday, five regions – Taranaki, Northland, Waikato, Horizons and Marlborough-Tasman – had been declared medium-scale adverse events.
OPINION: The farming sector, or at least some parts of it, are preparing for a battle with the Government over its latest international climate change target.
Farmer support is being canvassed to push for New Zealand to opt out of the Paris Agreement.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced last month that New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55% compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. The Paris Agreement is the global climate treaty which seeks to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Under the Agreement, each country sets targets for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, known as Nationally Determined Contributions.
Watts claims that meeting this target will mean NZ doing its “fair share” towards reducing the impact of climate change.
But some farmer groups – including Groundswell – isn’t buying any of it.
The lobby, well known for organising massive protests around the country during Labour’s reign, is seeking donations to build a war chest.
And Groundswell isn’t holding back when it comes to commenting on Watt’s latest announcement.
“New Zealand doesn’t elect governments to play along with international games. We expect them to look out for our interests. They work for us, not the jet-setting global conference elite,” Groundswell leader Bryce McKenzie told its supporters in an email.
He claims complying with the Paris Agreement means only one thing – poverty.
Federated Farmers is less muted in its response.
It claims the 2030 target of a 50% reduction in all greenhouse gas emissions in just the next five years is already completely beyond reach.
This leaves the National Party in a bind. Will it listen to the concerns of farmers or pander to the ‘middle-ground swing voters’ keen to see action on climate change? Time will tell.
Sitting Beef + Lamb NZ farmer director Scott Gower has been voted out by farmers.
The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) says it will be working alongside the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) as they attempt to improve access to veterinary medicines.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes a recent court decision which granted a stay on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until legislative changes can be made by government.
A holistic approach to sustainability sees Pukatea Dairy Farms take out the top award at this year's Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Registrations are now open for the highly anticipated South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) 2025, taking place April 7-9 in Timaru.
Scientists from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are part of an international team working to develop a low-cost diagnostic tool that could significantly improve food crop production in developing countries.
OPINION: Two Australian cheesemakers have rescued the iconic Tasmanian cheese company King Island Dairy.
OPINION: World famous liqueur maker Baileys is the latest to dabble with plant-based products.