Editorial: Great expectations
OPINION: As the new National-led coalition begins its term in office, there are high expectations that the promises and rhetoric of the election campaign will quickly be transformed into actions.
Labour’s $50 million commitment to support integrated farm planning will do little for farmers, claims National’s ag spokesperson David Bennett.
He says Labour doesn’t back farmers and today’s announcement will do little to ease burden of meeting regulations.
“Today’s promises around farm environment plans will do little to alleviate the individual farm cost and won’t necessarily mean that there will be a streamlined process for all farmers,” says Bennett.
“Labour can’t be trusted to deliver reasonable and rational rules when farmers know the true intentions of their party."
Bennett says Labour’s changes to winter grazing won’t be of much help to farmers.
“Minster O’Connor has said that consent for winter grazing will no longer be required and will instead come under a new system. Farmers will be wary of what this new system looks like and will be afraid it’s just more of the same from Labour.
“This is just more tinkering, which is occurring because of their own failed processes that didn’t consult with farmers.
“Right now we need our farmers to be positive, investing, creating jobs and getting us through the Covid crisis – Labour doesn’t back them but National does.”
National will be releasing policies for the primary sector tomorrow.
Red meat farmers have dealt a major blow to their umbrella farmer body, Beef + Lamb New Zealand - rejecting an increase in directors’ fees.
The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as possible.
Southland-based Mataura Valley Milk can now lay claim to be the first all-electric dairy factory in New Zealand.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
Meat co-operative Alliance Group has bagged four gold medals at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, achieving top honours for every cut entered.
There is increasing evidence that dairy demand is on the upswing, according to Rabobank senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins.
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