Wednesday, 06 November 2019 08:55

Changes needed, but sensibly

Written by  Mark Daniel
National’s agriculture spokesman Todd Muller speaking at the Morrinsville farmer meeting. National’s agriculture spokesman Todd Muller speaking at the Morrinsville farmer meeting.

With the submissions period for proposed water reforms ending last week, the National Party was out and about in the Waikato dairy heartland putting its spin on things.

It ran a meeting in Morrinsville, organised by Waikato MP Tim van der Molen, and introduced Todd Muller, the party’s spokesman for agriculture, biosecurity, food safety and forestry.

Muller claimed the Government is painting agriculture as a sunset industry despite it being New Zealand’s biggest export earner.

On water quality, Muller said National and the rural populace accept some rivers are under stress. But he said research shows 33% of rivers are much improved.

“Labour’s framing of its speeches on water issues leaves a lot to be desired, with talk of a catastrophe coming and the current state of rivers going to hell in a handcart,” said Muller. 

He said the Government is using a select group of scientists to deliver a message without consideration of the economic effect and that it fails to engage the whole population of NZ.

“In the recent local government election rounds, Wellington was framing water and climate issues as purely an agricultural problem,” said Muller. 

“This is despite the fact that during high rainfall Auckland beaches have to be closed because of sewage contamination, and that the fire at Sky City dumped millions of litres of contaminated water into Auckland harbour.”

Muller discussed how farmers and landowners should frame their responses to the proposed changes. 

He said the attendance and sentiment at recent farmer meetings had put immense pressure on the rule makers in Wellington and people should be “bending the ears” of their local MPs. 

He reminded the audience that most NZ First MPs are in Parliament because of National voters’ choice over Labour.

“Farmers and landowners need to be more vocal and not just rely on producer organisations such as Federated Farmers, Beef + Lamb or Dairy NZ to take their message to the general public,” he said. 

This point was reinforced by local dairy farmer and businesswoman Rebecca Walling. 

“I was shocked by Winston Peters suggesting that water issues for farmers were of their own making,” she told the meeting. “We have to get together and engage the general public using all forms of social media available to us.”

Muller said Labour is not on the right side of science, but agreed that there is a need for improved freshwater management.

“But it needs to happen over time, using greater consultation with farmers and landowners to achieve the agreed results. We don’t believe a big stick will solve the problem because farmers need to be able to farm.” 

He said the current proposals don’t consider the cost to farming and that adding costs would disadvantage NZ producers against overseas competitors.

The meeting was attended by mostly rural folk -- no one under 40 -- and it was obvious that the age-old topic of urban-rural divergence is still a major issue. Urban dwellers were said to be still unaware of the problems in their own back yard and to have no shared experience of water and climate issues. 

More like this

Dreams aren't plans

OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery finally roars to life.

If voters see some growth and wages rising faster than prices, the government could say they've "fixed" things as they ride into the next election.

Back here on Earth though, the economy they inherited is a basket case, and the long-term headwinds are fierce.

Political commentator Liam Hehir says, "dreams are not plans" and if the turnaround doesn't come in time, National may have no choice but to go negative.

"Everybody wants to fight on the economy if they can. But when neither side has a compelling story, the contest shifts to other issues. That's not new. In fact, it's the stuff of politics everywhere, always."


 Read More:


Trop de Paris!

OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly relating to how they're treating their farmer base.

Air Miles

OPINION: The latest travel receipts for MPs are in (April – June 2024).

Give it back!

OPINION: Most of the country's wage slaves will welcome the extra coin left in their wallets thanks to National's tax cuts.

Featured

Safer Rides initiative boosts farm quad bike safety

According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.

Editorial: Farewell Jim

OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

Fieldays calls for strategic investment in its future

A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Red faced

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…

Cold comfort

One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter