Editorial: Long overdue!
OPINION: The Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable is welcome, and long overdue.
AFTER EXPORT data for the June quarter, Federated Farmers is relieved the OCR will likely be on hold for the remainder of 2014.
"With the rural economy's sentiment decidedly bearish, an OCR hold is perhaps the best we could hope for," says Dr William Rolleston, Federated Farmers President.
"Dairy farmers are anxious about their likely payout following falls in international dairy prices and a stubbornly high exchange rate.
"This will not be helped by the seasonally adjusted value of exported goods falling 7.4% in the June quarter. Most of the major primary exports were down, including dairy, meat and logs."
Dr Rolleston says given the drop in farmer confidence and other economic developments "we actually thought there was good case for the OCR to be left unchanged".
"While that's now academic, the key thing is that the Reserve Bank has clearly communicated its intention to pause and take stock. This is the right signal," he says.
"We were pleased to hear the Reserve Bank state, in no uncertain terms, its concern about the unjustifiably and unsustainably high exchange rate. Clearly, in taking a pause, it wants to take pressure off the exchange rate and this is the right call.
"The fact that inflation remains contained is helpful and it has given the Reserve Bank some breathing space.
"We now hope that the Reserve Bank will be able to keep the OCR on hold for an extended period. To be able to do that other government policies need to help rather than hinder.
"This means fiscal responsibility, tight control of spending and wider policies around regulation. Exporters, whether ICT, tourism or the primary industries, need policies to assist rather than impede productivity and competitiveness.
"We hope that the media and commentators will be examining policies and pledges against this prescription," Dr Rolleston says.
The 2025 game bird season is underway with Hawke’s Bay and Southland reporting the ideal weather conditions for hunters – rain and wind.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
Waikato farmer, and Owl Farm demonstration manager, Jo Sheridan is the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr believes the outlook for the dairy sector remains strong.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.
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