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.
Animal rights protest group PETA is calling for Agriculture Minister Todd McClay to introduce legislation which would make it mandatory to have live-streaming web cameras in all New Zealand shearing shed.
It follows the release of footage released last week which PETA claims to show shearers on a Lake Hawea farm leased by former American TV show host Matt Lauer kicking and beating sheep.
The organisation claims the farm is part of the New Zealand Merino Company’s (NZM) ZQ Programme. In a statement to media, NZM denied this.
NZM has also announced intentions to investigate PETA’s claims, urging the organisation to provide details about filming locations and the timing of the recordings.
PETA claims the introduction of webcams and livestreaming to shearing sheds would help farm owners hold shearers accountable.
“PETA is calling on the New Zealand government to mandate web cameras inside all of the country's shearing sheds to hold the farms accountable since the industry seems incapable of doing so itself,” says PETA senior vice president Jason Baker.
In a letter to Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Baker argues that the practice is essential for both transparency and accountability, claiming that real-time monitoring would discourage any abusive practices.
“To demonstrate true transparency and accountability, we call on the government to mandate live-streaming web cameras in all shearing sheds, including ZQ-certified farms across the country,” he says.
“The public has the right to know whether meaningful action is being taken,” he concludes.
Reducing nitrogen inputs does not necessarily mean reducing profits, says DairyNZ principal scientist Ina Pinxterhuis.
Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick says farmers are prepared for winter grazing every year.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) is launching a new round of grants to support projects aimed at enhancing dairy farming sustainability via the a2 Farm Sustainability Fund.
DairyNZ is inviting applications for an associate director position.
Dairy's superpowers are lifting their game on proving greenhouse gas credentials.
Taupo-based low-carbon dairy company Miraka has its sights set on using 100% renewable energy in the next decade.
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