Parting shot?
OPINION: Environment Minister David Parker, likely in the final weeks of the job, remains hell-bent on burning bridges with farmers.
Groundswell New Zealand wants the Government to cease all regulations targeting the farming sector.
In a statement at the end of ‘The Mother of all Protests’ today, Groundswell NZ called on the Government to hold “genuine negotiations to reach acceptable solutions” with aggrieved farmers.
And it warns that if the Government doesn’t do this, the farmer lobby will invite all New Zealanders to join its next protest at Parliament in February.
Addressing protestors around the country Groundswell NZ says Kiwis are hardworking and reasonable people.
However, it says the Government regulations around the environment, ute tax and Three Waters are unworkable, unfair and unreasonable.
“A Government must have enough wisdom and compassion to see this,” it says.
“The stress of Covid has been tough on us: these regulations only added to everyone’s worries.
“We demand an end to these regulations until genuine consultations takes place.”
The protest, held around the country, started with a drive through towns and cities by utes and cars and ended at 1.35pm
Groundswell has asked its members to disperse from protest sites peacefully.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.