No, Minister — Editorial
Let's hope there’s truth in the talk of a funding reprieve for the rural health body Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa NZ (RHAANZ).
RHANZ says it supports Government moves to give district health boards the responsibility for deciding whether to add fluoride to water.
Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHANZ) has 40 member organisations all interested in the health and wellbeing of rural communities.
RHANZ chair Dr Jo Scott-Jones has applauded the Health Minister Jonathon Coleman's proposal for changes to legislation to enable district health boards to decide about fluoride.
"It is clear that health authorities have the scientific capability to properly assess the claims and counter claims about the safety and efficacy of fluoridation and that this decision would be better made under the auspices of health authorities," Dr Scott-Jones said.
"Rural communities and their local councils [now] make judgements on the validity or otherwise of complex research about the value of fluoride and claims of potential harm.
"The threat of litigation and confusing information presented leads many smaller rural communities to either avoid the debate altogether, or to change policy from time to time. As a consequence, many smaller rural communities do not have the opportunity to benefit from fluoridation," he said.
Scott-Jones said RHANZ's local authority members had asked the organisation to support the request that the Government amend legislation to empower health authorities to make this decision.
"We are pleased to report wide support amongst our members for this change. We look forward to the opportunity to supporting the process of legislative change in the near future."
Scott-Jones says fluoridation is a public health issue that is of key importance to small rural communities.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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