MPI job cuts 'won't disrupt organisational structure'
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has met with drought-affected farmers in Cheviot, North Canterbury and says they are still feeling the impacts of drought.
“North Canterbury – and the Cheviot area in particular – has missed most of the recent rainfall, and continues to face severe drought conditions,” says Guy.
“Because of this, an additional $20,000 is being allocated to the North Canterbury Rural Support Trust. This will help them with more intensive activities, including individual visits and community events.
“The major concern from farmers and community leaders I’ve met today is feeding livestock through the coming winter, so it’s important that farmers revise their feed budgets now.”
North Canterbury now has the highest soil moisture deficit in the country and has recorded the lowest rainfall for January to March since 1972.
The entire east coast of the South Island is classified as being in a ‘medium scale adverse event’. Recovery measures and funding will remain in place until later this year, depending on conditions over autumn and winter.
Guy says that this classification has triggered additional Government support, including funding for Rural Support Trusts – organisations that work closely with farmers and rural communities to provide support and guidance.
“With these extreme conditions, it’s important that affected communities know there is additional support still available through their Rural Support Trusts, including Rural Assistance Payments for those facing extreme hardship,” he says.
Inland Revenue can also offer flexibility with tax obligations.
Guy says the Government has a number of initiatives underway to address the need for more water storage and irrigation projects.
“The Ministry for Primary Industries is keeping a close watch on the ongoing impacts of the drought throughout the country and is in close contact with local communities.”
The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has found itself in a stoush with NZPork over the controversial National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL).
Fonterra says the sale of its global consumer business and its Oceania and Sri Lankan operations could take 18 months to complete.
The lobby group the Methane Science Accord (MSA) says it welcomes a recent government move to seek outside advice on reducing biological methane targets, rather than relying on recommendations made by the Climate Change Commission.
Well-known scientist Jock Allison has passed away.
After a decade of consultation and court battles, Environment Southland has officially adopted a plan to prevent further decline in the region's water quality.
Farmers are throwing down the gauntlet to politicians - hold an independent inquiry into rural bank lending or face tough questions from the farming sector.