Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
The Government will take the next few months to go over 12,000 submissions and work on the proposed Essential Freshwater package.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor told Rural News that as a result of submissions he would expect changes to the freshwater proposals. Submissions closed last Thursday.
He says DairyNZ’s analysis, released last week, is “a valuable contribution” to the body of evidence the consultation has produced.
O’Connor in recent weeks encouraged stakeholders to propose solutions to water quality issues. He thanked all the sector groups and farmers for their work on the proposals. “We’ll take the next few months to go over the more than 12,000 submissions and work on the proposals: that will include talking to sector groups.
O’Connor says the Government has heard the concerns regarding nutrient bottom lines: this will be looked at closely.
“Our consultation document was clear that no decision would be made on nitrogen and phosphorous bottom lines until comprehensive impact analysis has been completed.”
O’Connor says there are several areas of DairyNZ’s report worth noting. “Critically, the baseline used in DairyNZ’s report excludes existing requirements. Actions required under the 2014 National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management are ignored.
“Many of the changes identified in the report would have needed to be made under existing policy.”
He agrees with DairyNZ that the right solution will balance environmental sustainability with economic prosperity.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.