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Federated Farmers president and commerce spokesperson Andrew Hoggard.
Farmers are throwing their support behind the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme.
The scheme requires creditors to offer mediation to farmers who default on payments before they take any enforcement action.
Federated Farmers says the scheme is one farmers would hope to never have to use, but it’s a useful backstop if a farm’s finances do go pear-shaped.
"We strongly supported this legislation as it was shaped and debated by the select committee and Parliamentary processes over the last year or so and we’re glad it’s now in place," says Federated Farmers president and commerce spokesperson Andrew Hoggard.
The Federated Farmers May 2020 Banking Survey showed more than 80% of farms carry a mortgage and overdraft.
While 69% of the 1,400 farmers who responded were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their banks, 19% felt ‘under pressure’ from their banks, rising to 28% among arable farmers.
"It’s an uneven playing field in terms of available resources when a farmer and bank are in dispute. This legislation provides a platform for mediated communication," says Hoggard.
"Although we hope it won’t have to be used very often, it will have done its job if it helps banks and farmers find enduring and sustainable solutions before it is too late."
Farmers wishing to access the scheme should visit the MPI website.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
Federated Farmers says the final report into banking competition is a significant step forward for rural New Zealand - and a vindication of the farming sector's concern.
Farmer lobby group Federated Farmers has announced it is supporting a new Member’s Bill which it says could bring clarity to New Zealand farmers and save millions in legal costs.
Federated Farmers says climate protest group Greenpeace is manufacturing outrage and attempting to scare New Zealanders with headlines that have no basis in science.
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
'Common sense' cuts to government red tape will make it easier for New Zealand to deliver safe food to more markets.
Balclutha farmer Renae Martin remembers the moment she fell in love with cows.
Academic freedom is a privilege and it's put at risk when people abuse it.
OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.
