Farmer vote
OPINION: The coalition Government, already under the pump thanks to poor polling numbers, is facing the ire of its traditional support base – dairy and red meat farmers.
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.”
Through its new partnership with New Zealand Landcare Trust, Fonterra has committed to funding ten $25,000 grants for wetland restoration in communities across the country.
The chair of the Dairy Environmental Leaders (DEL) says the country's dairy farmers are at the forefront of environmental management.
On the edge of the hot, dry Takapau plains, Norm and Del Atkins have cultivated a small but exceptional herd of 60 Holstein Friesian cows within their mixed breed herd of 360 dairy cows.
The DairyNZ board and management are currently trying to determine whether, and to what degree, their farmer levy payers will support any increase in their levy contributions.
Milk production is up nationally, despite drought conditions beginning to bite in some districts, according to the latest update from Fonterra.
Dry conditions are widespread but worse in some places, with rain and drought affecting farms just a few kilometres away.
OPINION: Results of regional New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) are trickling in but there's a worrying trend emerging.
OPINION: It seems that the work rate of some parliamentarians is well below par.