Times have changed
OPINION: Back in the 1960s and '70s, and even into the '80s, successive National government Agriculture Ministers and Trade Ministers were at the top of the cabinet rankings.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will be joined by Mark Patterson, Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister responsible for wool on the roadshow.
“Sheep farmers have long been the backbone of New Zealand’s farming communities,” says Patterson.
“Under my delegation as Minister responsible for wool I will be working with farmers to rebuild the industry into a strong sector that recognises the exporting and sustainability potential of the product.
“We will be engaging with small catchment groups from Northland to Southland meeting farmers in the woolsheds, and at the farm gate, to discuss grassroots solutions.”
McClay says sheep farmers continue to make an invaluable contribution to our primary sector and this government is committed to celebrating and supporting that.
This week McClay hosted bipartisan celebrations of National Lamb Day with industry representatives at Parliament to mark the anniversary of the first frozen lamb exports that left New Zealand in February.
McClay says the Government is focused on getting costs down for farmers.
“We recognise the challenges sheep farmers are facing in the current climate with the oversupply of Australian lamb flooding the market and driving global prices down; and the ongoing barriers faced across the wool sector.
“At the same time, we back our farmers who produce high-quality products that are sought globally.
“The Government recognises the red meat sector’s enduring resilience as an industry that has consistently contributed to New Zealand’s exporting portfolio, and understand we have an obligation to make sure we are not imposing any unnecessary costs on farmers.”
Work to reduce the previous government’s regulatory burden on farmers has already started, McClay says.
