Politicians debate rural issues

Agriculture Minister (Labour) Damien O’Connor, Green Party MP Eugenie Sage, National ag spokesman Todd McClay, ACT candidate and former Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard, and former NZ First MP and Otago farmer Mark Patterson traded barbs on climate change, the Emissions Trading Scheme, water regulations and rural banking during the 90-minute event. The audience were not allowed to ask questions.

Sage, who is retiring from politics, offered apologies on behalf of Climate Change Minister James Shaw, who pulled out and opted to attend a finance debate in Queenstown last night.

The debate was organised by DairyNZ, Beef+Lamb NZ and Federated Farmers.

Feds president Wayne Langford told Rural News that he was pleased with the turnout – both in the audience and the political panel.

“It is very good of all the significant political parties to recognise the importance of the rural vote and show up tonight,” says Langford.

"None of the speakers held back in their views and the crowd took it very seriously, due to the state of the primary sector at the moment.

“All the speakers raised really good points and represented their parties well.”