Govt limits forestry conversions
Farmers have welcomed the Government’s move designed to limit farm to forestry conversions entering the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
The Government has expanded the medium-scale adverse event classification to cover the Canterbury and Otago regions.
Last week, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced the medium-scale adverse event would cover the Marlborough, Nelson, and Tasman districts.
With today’s announcement comes further support for farmers and growers, including tax relief. It also enables the Ministry for Social Development (MSD) to consider Rural Assistance Payments.
“I have made this decision to unlock additional support for farmers and growers across the Canterbury and Otago regions as the intense dry spell persists and looks unlikely to improve in the short-term,” McClay says.
Earlier this week, McClay met with farmers in South Marlborough to see conditions on the ground first-hand.
“They told me the classification makes a difference, enabling them to access further support,” he says.
The extension unlocks up to $70,000 for Rural Support Trusts in North, Mid, and South Canterbury and Otago to facilitate community and one-on-one support for affected farmers and growers.
This is on top of $20,000 allocated to the Top of the South Rural Support Trust last month in an effort to ensure early support was available.
Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson has also visited the affected regions recently, meeting with farmers, growers, and sector groups to discuss the challenging weather conditions.
“The dry conditions have affected some fodder crop yields and farmers have already been feeding out winter supplementary feed to livestock,” Patterson says.
He says rain over the weekend in parts of Canterbury and Otago did not deliver any significant relief to parched soils.
“The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has been working with sector groups, regional bodies, and farmers to prepare for El Niño since its arrival last year; and continue to monitor the situation to determine where additional support is needed,” Patterson says.
Farmers and growers who require support are encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.
Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton predicts that 2025 will be a better year for farmers.
Farmers have welcomed the Government’s move designed to limit farm to forestry conversions entering the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
Biosecurity New Zealand has placed a second Otago farm on ‘a restricted place’ notice following the discovery of avian influenza in the region earlier this week.
New Zealand's primary sector is being called on to help shape the future of the country's industry by sharing views and insights about the availability and use of genetic tools.
OPINION: As the fourth generation of my family working in horticulture, I’m proud to be continuing the legacy and honoured to do so carrying the current title of the Young Grower of the Year 2024.
OPINION: One of the strongest arguments for Act’s Treaty Principles Bill is probably its opponents’ total inability to raise a…
OPINION: Landcorp is putting a brave face on its latest result, highlighting its progress on KPIs like climate change and…