Leaving Paris ‘not in red meat sector’s interests’
Beef and Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) chair Kate Acland says it’s not in red meat farmers’ interests to leave the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Beef + Lamb NZ has welcomed most of the recommendations in the latest report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) relating to land use change.
Chair Kate Acland says the case studies show that existing and expected environment-related policies and rules, could lead to a significant decline in the sheep and beef sector.
In his report, the PCE, Simon Upton says for too long the issue of land use change has been relegated to the 'too-hard' basket and it's now time to confront some of the difficult questions regarding this.
He says while afforestation should continue, it should be in a way that is better suited to the landscape. He adds that national-level regulations that impact on land use change do not consider the differences of NZ landscapes and their communities. He says at present land owners are the main decision makers when it comes to land use change, but argues that catchment groups provide a way for willing land users to learn from each other.
Acland says B+LNZ supports the PCE's concerns about the impact of NZ's current policy settings around forestry offsetting in the ETS. She says the PCE modelling shows a high risk that major areas of productive farms will continue to be converted into forestry for carbon credits under current policy settings. Acland says they also support the PCE's recommendation for a 'catchment based approach' to environmental rules.
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand's trade interests are best served in a world where trade flows freely.
New Zealand's red meat sector says it is disappointed by the United States' decision to impose tariffs on New Zealand exports.
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Holstein Friesian NZ and Link Livestock have agreed on a strategic partnership to provide HFNZ members with comprehensive services from one of New Zealand's most respected dairy men.
Rural retailer Farmlands has launched a new casual clothing range available across 42 stores nationwide and through its online store.
Federated Farmers says the health and safety changes announced this week by the Government represent the start of overdue reforms.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
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