Consultation begins on biosecurity system updates
Today, public consultation begins on a series of proposals designed to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity system.
Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard believes the agriculture sector is “losing a friend” with the shock resignation of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
He told Rural News that Ardern was one of the “more supportive” voices that farmers had among Cabinet Ministers.
“Many people may think I’ve had too much to drink during the holidays, but within that Cabinet, she supported the ag sector more than anyone else.”
“We may get a new PM who doesn’t share her views.”
On He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) – an ag sector group set up to work closely with the Government on emissions pricing – Hoggard says he found that Ardern was willing to support recommendations from the industry group.
He claims that there were some ministers who wanted to “chuck agriculture into an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) straight away”.
But Hoggard adds that, while Ardern was supportive of the farming sector, one of the criticisms she will face is that farmers faced an avalanche of regulations while she was at the helm of the Government.
Hoggard says he was “shocked like others” to hear the news of Ardern’s resignation.
He believes farmers, like other New Zealanders, will be watching with interest to see who will take over as Labour leader and PM until the general election in October.
The Labour caucus meets on Sunday to elect a new leader. Chris Hipkins is said to be front runner at this stage.
Ardern says being Prime Minister has been the greatest honour of her life but she couldn’t continue in the role any more.
“With holding such a privileged role comes responsibility, including the responsibility to know when you’re the right person to lead, and also when you’re not.
“I have given my absolute all to being Prime Minister but it has also taken a lot out of me. You cannot and should not do the job unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unplanned and unexpected challenges that inevitably come along.
“Having reflected over summer, I know I no longer have that bit extra in the tank to do the job justice. It’s that simple.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
OPINION: NIWA has long weathered complaints about alleged stifling of competition in forecasting, and more recently, claims of lack of…
OPINION: Adding to calls to get banks to 'back off', NZ Agri Brokers director Andrew Laming has revealed that the…