Farmers back government’s RMA reforms
Farmers appear to be backing the Government's recent Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms announcement.
An $111 million injection for biosecurity in Budget 2022 is a pragmatic acknowledgement of how vital it is to New Zealand’s economy that we stop pest organisms at our borders, says Federated Farmers.
"This extra money shows an appreciation by the government pest incursions can wreak havoc in our primary industries, New Zealand’s powerhouse for export earnings," says Federated Farmers arable chair and plant biosecurity spokesperson Colin Hurst.
"Plenty of Budget rounds go by without any bolstering of funding for biosecurity so we congratulate the government for making this a priority."
The funding announcement came on the fourth anniversary of New Zealand’s attempt to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis.
The $110.9m in the Budget includes $68 million over the coming year to continue momentum on the M. bovis programme.
"We need to keep our foot on the throat of this disease," Hurst says.
"Over the last few years 271 farms have been cleared of M. bovis and we’re down to just one infected property. Federated Farmers thanks both those farmers who have taken a hit on behalf of their colleagues and sector, and also those officials who have worked hard to get the programme right.
"It does underline the huge costs and disruption that can be avoided when we stop these organisms from getting into New Zealand, or when they’re here, stop them from wider spread in our herds and environment.
"Our biosecurity personnel deserve proper resources to do their work well," Hurst says.
. "This will be increasingly important as our borders open up to international passenger travel."
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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