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.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.