Wednesday, 01 May 2024 11:57

Wrongheaded

Written by  Milking It

OPINION: Food security is a sore point in the UK, as a direct result of its National Food Strategy, and there’s a lesson in this for other food producing nations like NZ: government meddling in farming is a very bad idea!

To farm in the UK you need a special barn just to store all the paperwork in.

The Strategy turned the red tape up a notch, rewiring the entire food production system, essentially to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Farmers are paid incentives to take land out of production, reduce livestock numbers and plant non-food carbon-fixing crops.

The result is a massive drop in food production in the UK, driving up food prices and reducing food security.

So it was a relief to hear NZ’s unworkable winter grazing rules have been axed.

More like this

Editorial: Calm and Common Sense

OPINION: As the fuel crisis hits the country and rural New Zealand in particular, perhaps it's time to turn to one of the kaumatua of the rural sector, Pita Alexander - farm accountant, advisor and a source of knowledge and insightfulness.

It's all about economics

OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a 'please explain' from her former employer Fonterra.

Featured

Tatua Chair Stephen Allen Retires After 30 Years of Service

Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company has confirmed that chair and director Stephen Allen will retire at the co-operative's annual general meeting (AGM) on 3 December 2026, ending 30 years of service, including more than 20 years as Chair.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Irish Dilemma

OPINION: The Irish dairy sector is facing a new dilemma - maintaining year-round fresh milk supplies.

Beef Cows To The Rescue

OPINION: Could beef cows play an increasingly important role in improving profitability and resilience on hill country farms?

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter