Farmers back government’s RMA reforms
Farmers appear to be backing the Government's recent Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms announcement.
All beekeepers will be now represented by Apiculture New Zealand.
Since 2002, either Federated Farmers' bee industry group or National Beekeepers Association have represented NZ apiarists.
A nine-member ApiNZ board was elected at the beekeeper organisation's annual meeting last week.
Federated Farmers bee industry group chairman John Hartnell applauds the move as great news for the apiculture industry, whose exports are forecast to exceed $300 million this year.
"This new approach brings everyone together, strengthens the voice of the industry to government and promotes research and work in industry best practice.
"With 5000 people engaged in apiculture in NZ there's potential for the industry to be worth $1 billion per year."
Federated Farmers' national president Dr William Rolleston says it's now time for the industry to move forward.
"The industry in NZ has matured to a point where [the unified] body is justified. Federated Farmers is pleased to have helped the industry for 14 years, supporting its transition.
"The bee industry group has done a marvellous job promoting the importance of a strong and healthy bee population.
"Educating our members has been a priority for the group; for example, the Trees for Bees project to enable bees to gather quality pollen and nectar raised awareness of the importance of bees to the primary industry."
Rolleston says Feds hopes many beekeepers will remain members of the organisation.
Farmers appear to be backing the Government's recent Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms announcement.
For the first time, all the big names in agricultural drone technology are being brought together under one marquee at the National Fieldays.
Fonterra has announced an improved third quarter performance – with a profit after tax of $1.15 billion, up $119 million on the same period last year.
The Fieldays Innovation Awards competition has attracted a diverse and impressive array of innovations from across the primary industries, highlighting the growing importance of technology shaping the future of farming.
Coming to the fore following the carnage of Cyclone Gabrielle, Starlink became well known for providing internet access even in NZ's most inaccessible places.
From this winter farmers will have a greater choice of feed types and blend options than ever before, thanks to Farmlands' purchase of animal nutrition company SealesWinslow.
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