Friday, 24 November 2023 12:33

Hoggard 'really excited'

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Incoming Minister for Food Safety and Biosecurity Andrew Hoggard. Incoming Minister for Food Safety and Biosecurity Andrew Hoggard.

Incoming Minister for Food Safety and Biosecurity Andrew Hoggard says he’s “really excited” to get those roles.

“Food safety and biosecurity are really important roles for a nation economically dependent on exporting safe and nutritious food,” he told Rural News.

Hoggard is also the Associate Minister for Agriculture overseeing animal welfare and skills. His roles are outside of Cabinet.

“The associate environment role will probably be where a lot of energy has to go in first up, as we deal with issues around the freshwater regulations,” he says.

Hoggard’s rise in national politics has been meteoric. Just six months ago, he was president of Federated Farmers and fighting on behalf of farmers against an avalanche of regulations lobbed by the previous Labour Government.

Hoggard resigned from Federated two months before his term was due to expire, after media reports linked him to an ACT Party ticket. The party confirmed his candidacy shortly after.

The Manawatu dairy farmer was ranked fifth on ACT’s list, ahead of sitting MPs.

More like this

Raising the bar for lawmaking

OPINION: Farmers and growers know the frustration well: Pointless paperwork, slow consents, and confusing red tape that turns simple tasks into complex ones.

On the go

OPINION: After hopping from one event to another at Fieldays, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard would have been hoping for a rest.

Get involved in local elections

OPINION: During my last recess break, I got around the country and met with many farmers and growers from Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Marlborough, and Canterbury.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

A reliable, no-fuss workhorse

Showcased with a T7.245 at the recent National Fieldays, New Holland has expanded its T7 tractor range offering in New…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Wrong focus

OPINION: Your old mate reckons townie Brooke van Velden, the Minister of Workplace (or is it Woke Place) Relations is…

Burn the village

OPINION: There's an infamous term coined by a US general during the Vietnam war, specifically in reference to the battle…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter