Local government shake-up 'long overdue' - Feds
Federated Farmers says it is cautiously welcoming signals from the Government that a major shake-up of local government is on its way.
Federated Farmers have cancelled a meeting of its national council which was scheduled to take place tomorrow and Wednesday in Wellington.
The national council comprises all the organisations provincial presidents plus the members of the governing board.
Feds’ chief executive Graham Smith told Rural News that the building their offices are located in on Wellington’s Featherston Street has been cleared of any structural damage and staff will be allowed to work there tomorrow.
But he says the disruption in Wellington could continue for days and the CBD may not be the safest of places if the high winds predicted for the capital materialise. Smith says the safety of staff and members of the Federation is the top priority.
He says the Federations elected members and staff are deeply involved in trying to get the full picture on the implications of the quake on farming and it would wrong of them to come to Wellington for a meeting. A social event planned in conjunction with the national council meetings has also been cancelled.
Smith says the national council meeting will be re-scheduled for early next year.
Fonterra Edendale has been recognised with the Mars Dairy Supplier Quality Award for the top performing supplier sites in the global food company's dairy supply chain.
Sheep milk processor Maui Milk has achieved grass-fed certification of milk supply against the AsureQuality Grass-Fed Scheme.
OPINION: What goes up must come down. So, global dairy prices retreating from lofty heights in recent months wouldn’t come as a surprise to many farmers.
Fonterra directors and councillors are in for a pay rise next month.
Federated Farmers says it is cautiously welcoming signals from the Government that a major shake-up of local government is on its way.
Ashburton cropping and dairy farmer Matthew Paton has been elected to the board of rural services company, Ruralco.

OPINION: Winston Peters has described the decision to sell its brand to Lactalis and disperse the profit to its farmer…
OPINION: The Hound reckons a big problem with focusing too much on the wrong goal - reducing livestock emissions at…