HortNZ supports new water storage plan
Horticulture New Zealand has welcomed the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s decision to advance plans for a new water storage facility on the Heretaunga Plains.
Horticulture New Zealand says the country’s ability to provide fresh, healthy vegetables is at risk unless the Government makes growing them a permitted activity.
Michelle Sands, Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) general manager strategy and policy, says that without urgent changes in resource management, New Zealand risks losing a significant portion of its homegrown food supply by 2030.
“Our country’s food security and access to fresh, nutritious vegetables are on the line,” she says.
“Without immediate action, the risk of shortages and rising prices will become a harsh reality for Kiwi families.”
Sands says this means it’s essential for vegetable growing to become a permitted activity in the current round of resource management reforms.
“The decisions made by the Government in the coming months will shape the future of regional food production until at least 2030,” she says.
Meanwhile, John Murphy, chair of Vegetables NZ, says a nationwide approach is required to protect growers and ensure long-term food security.
“The current system is broken,” he says. “Growers are being strangled by regional decisions that take too long, make no sense, and ultimately drive them out of business.”
He says the horticulture sector is committed to sustainability and responsible food production, ensuring healthy people, a healthy environment and thriving regional economies.
“To achieve this, vegetable growing must be granted permitted activity status immediately,” Murphy says.
“However, the long-term solution lies in establishing a National Environmental Standard for Commercial Vegetable Production that requires growers to operate with a freshwater farm plan.”
He says this will allow growers to focus on feeding New Zealand with fresh produce.
“If we want a future where New Zealanders can continue to enjoy affordable, nutritious vegetables, we must support our growers today.”
Farmer-owned co-operative Ravensdown is winding down the operations of its agritech subsidiary C-Dax following a long decline in sales.
The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.
A Research programme supported by Beef+Lamb NZ is investigating the potential of ‘accelerometer’ sensors for early detection of conditions such as facial eczema (FE) in sheep.
In the past year, the Farmer Time for Schools programme which seeks to connect New Zealand school students with farmers, has experienced further growth.
Fresh Carriers Co. Ltd (FCC) and Zespri have completed the first ever kiwifruit charter powered by a low-emissions fuel.
New Zealand lingerie brand Rose & Thorne is expanding its virtual bra fitting service in an effort to provide rural women in with better access to specialised advice.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
OPINION: If you believe Maori Party president John Tamihere’s claim that “nothing dodgy” occurred at Manurewa Marae during the last…