Court rejects Greenpeace's attempt to block green hydrogen project
An attempt by Greenpeace to block the consent of a green hydrogen project involving fertiliser co-operative Ballance has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
Outgoing Ballance chief executive Larry Bilodeau has questioned calls for New Zealand's economy to be less reliant on agriculture.
"Those who say we should minimise our reliance on agriculture don't' realise there is no viable alternative. We should certainly be diversifying our economy, especially in innovative areas like technology, but growth does not have to be an either/or question," he says.
"We should be focused on good growth in agricultural exports and, at the same time, performance from other more diverse sectors," he told the cooperative's annual meeting of shareholders in Queenstown yesterday.
Bilodeau notes the food and forestry sectors generated 70% of New Zealand's merchandise export earnings and around 12% of gross domestic product.
MPI's latest estimated were that that export values from agriculture, fisheries and forestry will reach $40.7 billion by June 2018 – a rise of more than 8% since June of this year.
"It seems to me food is still a good sector to rely on for future economic growth," says Bilodeau.
He says it is obvious that major opportunities existed for agricultural products as demand grew in markets around the world.
"Our challenge is to meet that demand with more high quality safe food produced sustainably. Ballance will always be part of that effort. We are working hard for our farmers to stay one step ahead of the evolving needs of agriculture."
Bilodeau celebrated his final year with the cooperative with a record $93.5 million result and a record rebate distribution to shareholders of $78.9 million, based on a rebate of $60.83 per tonne and a dividend of 10 cents per share.
Ballance chairman, David Peacocke acknowledged Bilodeau's "exceptional leadership" in driving the cooperative evolution from a fertiliser company to one focused on the full range of farm nutrients. He says the cooperative had entered the new financial year in excellence shape and was in a strong position for growth.
At the annual meeting Genesis Energy chief executive, Albert Brantley, was introduced as an independent director, replacing David Pilkington who retired.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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