KVH welcomes border clearance levy
Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) backs today's announcement by the Government to finalise the Border Clearance Levy on passengers entering New Zealand from January 1, 2016.
Federated Farmers is concerned the Green Party has misinterpreted the Treasury's Briefing to Incoming Minister (BIM) on biosecurity.
"Biosecurity is one of the key platforms in New Zealand's competitiveness. Farmers would revolt if there was to be any dismantling of biosecurity but that's not in the Treasury BIM," says William Rolleston, Federated Farmers spokesperson on biosecurity.
"The Green Party has misinterpreted what "at-the-border" means. When you read beyond the summary to page 22 of the BIM, it clearly states, "New Zealand's formal at-the-border restrictions are generally low. The exception is our investment screening regime".
"As you can see, this has nothing to do with biosecurity but inwards investment."
According to Rolleston, the Treasury does get it right in identifying need for regulatory reform.
"Any unnecessary regulatory burden achieves little aside from adding cost and ultimately time to what we are trying to produce.
"The Treasury's BIM also rightly highlights the importance of firm led innovation and research.
"I can add that New Zealand's primary and value added industries aren't based on a slogan, but a deserved reputation for safe, reliable and high quality food and fibre. We know biosecurity is fundamental to maintaining that reputation," Rolleston says.
Investing in your people and in your own leadership skills is the path to success for a farming business, says economist Shamubeel Eaqub.
A leading farm consultant says it's likely the dairy season in the Waikato will come to a premature end because of the drought.
Dairy farming siblings Manoj Kumar and Sumit Kamboj's message to other immigrants is simple - work hard and you will be rewarded.
Last season was a mixed bag for Waikato contractors, with early planted forage maize, planted on the dry soils around Cambridge, doing badly after germination and failing to meet potential, says Jeremy Rothery, Jackson Contracting.
A marked turnaround in the financial performance of Canterbury milk company Synlait has halted a threatening exodus of farmer suppliers.
Unnecessary box ticking and red tape are set to go under the Government's new RMA reforms - much to the delight of farmers.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
OPINION: If you believe Maori Party president John Tamihere’s claim that “nothing dodgy” occurred at Manurewa Marae during the last…