Parting shot?
OPINION: Environment Minister David Parker, likely in the final weeks of the job, remains hell-bent on burning bridges with farmers.
Groundswell NZ farm emissions spokesman Steve Cranston told Rural News the group had "very little" to agree with in the current He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) proposals.
"I would say the original intent of HWEN was good, a collective approach to create pricing at the margins, as well as promoting uptake of new technologies and management," the Waikato based agriculture and environment consultant says.
"Unfortunately, it has been designed with major reductions of emissions in mind rather than trying to better understand our climate footprint and then set appropriate reductions from there."
Cranston says Groundswell is still working on its counter proposal. However, he hinted it will likely be based on data collection, best practice management and improved research into carbon sequestration rates.
"Some form of pricing or credits trading are likely required to ensure fairness and that we remain on course - around 2025/26," he added. "Farmers should have genuine input on how this works - so we won't be defining that now."
Cranston is hopeful Groundswell's alternative will allow the NZ farming sector to certify climate neutrality by 2030.
"We plan to socialise our proposal with other political parties so, farmers have a credible alternative with the election in two years."
He says Groundswell believes that any emissions scheme should be designed to promote NZ farming's low climate impact to consumers - not just reduce emissions.
Rural News understands that Groundswell recently had a Zoom meeting with HWEN to discuss its farmer survey results and suggest changes.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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