Faulkner: Take Rural Infrastructure Out of Politics
Federated Farmers' new vice president Sandra Faulkner says the issue of adverse events emergency management and infrastructure needs to be taken out of the three-year political cycle.
That’s according to Federated Farmers, which asked its members last week to “share any tangible examples of where you’re having issues accessing fuel”.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the feedback has been fed directly to both the Beehive and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
“Our team have been in constant contact with the Government this week, making it clear farming is an essential industry, and reliable access to fuel must be treated as a priority.
“It’s important for them to understand the fuel needs of farmers and rural communities, but also the flow-on effects for other businesses like contractors and stock carriers,” he wrote in his weekly email to farmer members.
“We’ve also heard loud and clear from our members that you want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.”
Langford says they went straight to a couple of key suppliers this week – and their message is clear.
Ravensdown says farmers have no reason to worry about fertiliser availability.
The co-operative is well positioned to meet demand now and through autumn, with most of what’s needed already in the country or on the water.
On fuel, Fern Energy is urging farmers not to panic or stockpile.
There is enough fuel in New Zealand – the real issue is artificial demand spikes driven by fear, says Langford.
“When people rush to fill tanks and store extra fuel, it puts unnecessary strain on the supply chain in some regions.
“That’s what leads to delays and disruptions for farmers who genuinely need supply, when they need it.
“Fern Energy, Ravensdown and other suppliers are working their guts out to get supply to those who need it.
“The best thing farmers can do right now is stay calm and stick to normal purchasing patterns.
“That allows suppliers to prioritise deliveries to where fuel is actually needed most and keep everything flowing as it should.”
Langford says that it’s hard to predict what will happen to supply in the longer-term, as that’s very much dependent on what happens in the Middle East.
But the message right now is that we have enough in the country, and plenty on the way, he adds.
“I know these are challenging times – but we’ve been through them before and we’ll get through this one as well.”
