ACT, farmers push for changes to Paris Agreement
The ACT Party's call for a better deal on the Paris Agreement on climate change is being backed by farmer organisations.
ACT agriculture spokesman Mark Cameron last week wrote to new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins calling for a rethink on agricultural emissions pricing. Here’s his letter:
"I write asking you to consider the financial and regulatory burden that agricultural emissions pricing will place upon growers and producers in New Zealand.
As I am sure you are aware, growers and producers are facing an increasingly challenging economic environment.
In the last financial year alone on-farm inflation in New Zealand has increased by 10.2%.
Prices for fuel, fertiliser, and vehicular repairs and maintenance increased by 54.3%, 23%, and 10.4% respectively last financial year.
On top of increasing production costs, farmers face the added challenge of responding to a range of regulatory pressures such as intensive winter grazing, significant natural areas, and freshwater regulations.
This is no small undertaking considering the current global economic climate.
The seemingly unrelenting pressure of unworkable regulations and high operating costs has already taken its toll on farmers, with farmer confidence in New Zealand sinking to an all-time recorded low.
For Government to place additional regulatory and financial burden upon growers and producers now is nonsensical. If agricultural emissions pricing is implemented many may be forced out of the industry, rural communities will suffer, and mental health may be further impacted.
You have just seen the impact of regulations on the poultry industry: a nationwide shortage of eggs and rising prices for families trying to buy one of the most affordable and healthy sources of protein.
How would you like to see an impact like that imposed upon the entire agricultural sector? In these challenging times the Government needs to stop imposing additional costs upon farmers which will only force production offshore to less-efficient competitors.
Subsequently, I implore you to adopt ACT’s policy of tying agricultural emissions pricing to that of New Zealand’s five major trading partners, ensuring a level playing field for growers and producers in New Zealand.”
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
OPINION: Westland Milk may have won the contract to supply butter to Costco NZ but Open Country Dairy is having…
OPINION: The Gene Technology Bill has divided the farming community with strong arguments on both the pros and cons of…