increase font size
Dr Mike Joy
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 has formally written to Joy’s employer, Victoria University vice-chancellor Nic Smith raising serious concerns about Joy’s conduct and requesting a response.
Joy made the comments in a LinkedIn post last month, suggesting the dairy industry is currently putting babies (and adults) at risk with nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater.
His proposed solution: "How about we bring back hanging for industry CEOs?"
Federated Farmers dairy chair Karl Dean says such extreme, violent and dangerous views are totally unacceptable from a well-known and senior academic.
"Dr Joy is entitled to his opinions, and he has plenty of views that are anti-farming, but suggesting industry CEOs should be hanged has no place in academia or New Zealand society.
"These are clearly the views of a fringe academic with activist tendencies and political motives - not a credible, level-headed and impartial researcher that the public can trust."
According to the Victoria University website, Joy is currently employed as Senior Research Fellow at the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences.
"We’re taking Dr Joy’s violent and extreme comments very seriously and have a firm expectation that Victoria University will do the same," Dean says.
"It would be extraordinary if the University failed to take appropriate action in response to this kind of extremist content being publicly posted online. It strikes at the heart of their credibility.
"If a teacher at my kids’ school made comments like this - towards anyone at all - I’d be demanding their resignation immediately.
"Dr Joy must be held accountable."
Rural News has sought comments from Victoria University.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to highlight the most troublesome farm pests – a serious issue that needs some urgent attention from the Beehive.
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.
Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping "The Twelve Days of Christmas" for "The Twelve Pests of Christmas" in an effort to highlight the most troublesome farm pests.
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand.
At Pāmu’s Kepler Farm in Manapouri, mating has wrapped up at the across-breed Beef Progeny Test.
More than 150 people turned up at Parliament recently to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).
Biosecurity New Zealand says Kiwis should continue to keep an eye out for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) over the holiday season.
The Push-Up Challenge, an event which combines mental health and fitness, is set to launch in New Zealand in 2026.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
