Digital 'SOS' billboards take farmers' message to the Beehive
Government ministers cannot miss the ‘SOS’ – save our sheep call - from New Zealand farmers.
Farmers are offering their conditional support to the fourth report of the Land & Water Forum.
Federated Farmers today added its name to the signatories of the report after receiving the conditional support of its national council.
"Federated Farmers has been deeply involved in and committed to the Land & Water Forum since its formation in 2009, playing an active role in the development of this and the previous three forum reports," says Federated Farmers water spokesperson Chris Allen.
"We have worked tirelessly to represent the interests of New Zealand's farmers and collaborated strongly with stakeholders from all quarters. Unlike others we are not prepared to turn our back on the forum. Instead we sign the report as a reflection of our commitment to its work and with pride in our efforts, however the decision of our National Council was only do so on the condition that we continue to discuss the report and consider our options."
The key concerns of the Federation's national council were the clauses relating to iwi rights and interests – not that they were included but how they might be interpreted by local councils. The draft report suggests potential options around this but should not be interpreted as giving specific direction to government.
"We are concerned that some local Governments may pre-empt negotiations between iwi and central government by unreasonably locking up water creating a gridlock on its management," says Allen.
"We argued strongly that the government has the opportunity to create more headroom through support of, and contribution to, water storage and other infrastructure projects. This would create a potential win for iwi, other users and the environment."
"This decision by our National Council has paved the way for us to add our name to the Land & Water Forum Report while reserving the right to continue to consider its implications and take any additional steps we determine might be necessary to shape its final outcome," says Allen.
The report, released today, will now be reviewed by Cabinet and then be open to public consultation.
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
More than 70 farmers from across the North and South Islands recently spent a dayand- a-half learning new business management and planning skills at Rabobank Ag Pathways Programmes held in Invercargill, Ashburton and Hawera.
Government ministers cannot miss the ‘SOS’ – save our sheep call - from New Zealand farmers.
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Sheep and beef farmers have voted to approve Beef + Lamb New Zealand signing an operational agreement between the agricultural sector and the Government on foot and mouth disease readiness and response.
The head of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers organisation NZKGI says the points raised in a report about the sector by Waikato University professor Frank Scrimgeour were not a surprise.
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