Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
The Resource Management Act will be repealed and water regulations potentially revoked under a National government.
Leader of the National Party Judith Collins and Agriculture spokesperson David Bennett announced National’s Agriculture policy in Gisborne today.
“New Zealand’s reputation as a producer of quality and sustainable agricultural products is well known around the world,” said Collins.
“When we form the next Government, our pledge is to ensure that our agricultural policy focuses on allowing farmers the opportunity to farm their way to better outcomes, rather than being regulated into oblivion.”
National has committed to:
• Repeal the Resource Management Act (RMA) and replace it with an Environmental Standards Act and Planning and Development Act
• Allow skilled workers and Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers to enter New Zealand
• Create a fast-tracked Primary Sector Visa
• Repeal or review the nine new water regulations Labour introduced in August
• Promote water storage options
• Review the treatment of forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme
• Remove the exemption that streamlines the process for forestry applications in the Overseas Investment Office test
• Remove the review process around introducing agriculture into the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2022
• Pass seven changes to the Zero Carbon Bill, including a review of the methane target
• Pursue an active free trade agenda to open up new markets for New Zealand’s food and fibre products
• Enforce stronger penalties for biosecurity offences
• Build the infrastructure to ensure better connectivity for rural communities
“National’s approach to agriculture is simple - allow the sector to thrive by investing in and encouraging innovation, not constraining the sector with excessive regulations,” said Bennett.
“There will be a demand for more sustainability in our farming practices. Farmers are up for this challenge and this desire for improvement is clear in farmers’ efforts over recent years.
“We’ll address the issues around workforce shortages and ensure that primary sector businesses have every opportunity continue growing and supporting New Zealand’s economy.”
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…