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.
The CEO of Apples and Pears NZ, Karen Morrish, says the strategic focus of her organisation is to improve grower returns.
A significant breakthrough in understanding facial eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.
Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.
OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).
The 2024-25 season apple harvest has “well and truly exceeded expectations”, says Apples and Pears NZ chief executive Karen Morrish.
Through collaborative efforts with exhibitors, visitors, and industry partners, Fieldays says it is reaffirming its commitment to environmental responsibility with new initiatives for 2025.
OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…
OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…