Editorial: Time for a reset
OPINION: The Government's recent announcement that methane targets will be reviewed is bringing relief to farmers.
Farmers should have their say on what the priorities should be for environmental reporting.
New Zealanders are being invited make submissions about proposed topics under the new national environmental reporting system.
"The Environmental Reporting Act passed by Parliament in September requires fair and accurate reports on the state of our environment," says Environment Minister Nick Smith.
"It means our country's clean, green brand will now be assessed against authoritative and independent data across five domains. Today we are calling for submissions on what New Zealanders think are the priorities for reporting across these domains."
The new Environmental Reporting Act requires the Secretary for the Environment and Statistics New Zealand to publish a report every six months on one of the five environmental domains (air, freshwater, land, marine, atmosphere and climate), beginning with freshwater in 2016.
A synthesis report, with analysis of all five domains, will be published every three years. The topics for future reports will be set in regulations under the Act.
Statistics Minister Craig Foss says the Government Statistician decides on the statistics used to measure the topics.
"Statistics New Zealand is world-leading, with sound credentials — it provides New Zealand with critical economic indicators such as GDP and CPI. It brings the same reputation for statistical integrity and independence to environmental reporting," Foss says.
"I encourage New Zealanders to make a submission on future topics for environmental reporting — your views will inform discussion and aid the decision-making process."
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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