More forestry conversions a death knell for meat sector
Red meat farmers are warning that wholesale conversion of farms into forestry to achieve climate change targets will be unsustainable for the country.
The Forest Owners Association (FOA) says it’s working closely with the Government on its $28m relief package for Gisborne forestry workers.
Forestry Minister, Shane Jones announced the relief package on Friday.
The package will provide work for 300 forestry workers in jobs such as road maintenance and removing trees that are in danger of falling onto roads or powerlines.
FOA says it’s making sure the package will both look after the affected workers and speed economic recovery amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Incoming FOA President, Phil Taylor says forestry will be a crucial export tool in leading New Zealand’s recovery.
“In common with the rest of the primary sector, we will be ready to do our part to pull our economy through the extraordinary times which are ahead of us.”
“After rock lobsters, forestry was been the second longest New Zealand industry to be impacted by measures in China to try to contain COVID-19. This has created some urgency to help people who have now been out of work for weeks.”
Phil Taylor says it’s great that the affected workers can be given employment that is useful to the local economy and doesn’t take them away from their home region.
“The worldwide appetite for timber is undiminished. In fact, it’s likely to increase for New Zealand timber as climate change has an impact on forests in other countries, such as Canada, Australia and through Europe.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
The horticulture sector is a big winner from recent free trade deals sealed with the Gulf states, says Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg.
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