Tough trade
OPINION: Known for serious trade negotiations with global politicians, top NZ trade official Vangelis Vitalis also knows how to crack jokes.
John McCarthy, past president of the ginger group Meat Industry Excellence (MIE) recently gave Winston Peters a run for his money.
McCarthy played the ‘yellow peril’ card in reference to Silver Fern Farms’ capital raising.
”Will our killing sheets be in Mandarin? Silver Fern Farms and the family silver” was the headline of his media release. He stressed “this is not xenophobia” -- a common tactic used by Winston and others who like to play the race card to promote fear.
McCarthy was pushing for the meat industry merger MIE has been on about for a while and he made some valid points about fixing the industry and about protecting regional New Zealand’s economic self-determination. But why use the race card to make the point? China is a key customer for our primary produce. If we’re happy to sell to them, let’s refrain from the racial slights.
Six livestock industry groups have signed a new agreement with the Government on how to prepare for, and respond to, a possible outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease.
Farmers are welcoming a $17 million, seven-year collaborative science and research programme to lift pasture persistence and productivity.
Maize and sweetcorn pest fall armyworm has defied initial assessments regarding its ability to survive over winter in some parts of New Zealand.
A report released this morning at the National Fieldays, Mystery Creek shows dairy farmer confidence growing, but challenges remain.
Supporting farmers to build great workplaces is a focus for DairyNZ, which is why they say they have relaunched the self-assessment tool, Workplace 360.
Around 97% of New Zealand pet owners value the care provided by their vet teams, but the broader contribution of animal health professionals to society often goes unseen, a new study has revealed.