Dairy power
OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.
DairyNZ board and leadership team were in Wellington late last month to relay what farmers see as priority areas for easing the regulatory burden on dairy farming.
In an email message to levy payers, DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker says the meeting was a good opportunity to follow up on their pre-election advice to policymakers, their briefings to incoming ministers, and to answer any questions they had for the sector.
Parker notes that key announcements in the Government’s action plan released this week follow those discussions.
H says importantly for dairy farmers, these four areas are being considered over the next quarter are:
“We continue to advocate for simplified processes for Fresh Water Farm Plans, including recognition of existing industry plans delivered in partnership with dairy Companies to reduce complexity, cost, and duplication.
“The Government is in the early stages of outlining the scope for how it will address these areas. Our scientists and policy advisors will be actively ensuring the dairy sector’s evidence-based research leads to practical solutions that work on-farm.
“Other areas we flagged as being critical are being progressed by Government and include a review of rural regulations, and enhanced biosecurity. New technologies and workforce development are also areas we are advocating on behalf of farmers.”
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
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