Wednesday, 04 March 2015 00:00

Relations thawing?

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Damien O'Conner

O'Conner says he had a very productive meeting with the group he once labelled ‘The National Party in Gumboots’ – Federated Farmers.

At Parliament last week Feds Meat and Fibre section executive met with O’Connor for what may be seen as a landmark meeting. O’Connor praised Feds for their initiative, which he says involves “actively engaging” politicians from all parties.

Until now meetings between Labour and Federated Farmers have been sporadic, he says, describing this latest initiative as a “very smart move” that will help shore up relations between Feds and the Labour caucus.

“I welcome the opportunity to host them back to meet a number of my colleagues on a wide range of issues. I know my colleagues are keen to meet with them to talk productively about the issues we share.”

O’Connor says Labour is pro farming and that any “honest” farming leader will acknowledge Labour has made some of the most significant progressive changes in agriculture over the years.

More like this

Disunity is death

OPINION: Staying with politics, with less than nine months to go before the general elections, there’s confusion in the Labour Party when it comes to working with the divided Maori Party.

Editorial: RMA reforms uproar

OPINION: The euphoria over the Government’s two new bills to replace the broken Resource Management Act is over.

Canterbury arable farmers face heavy losses after stormy January wreaks havoc

Canterbury arable farmers are down by tens of millions of dollars after a rollercoaster of wild changeable January weather saw harvests delayed and some crops destroyed by violent hailstorms.

2026 should be a year of real choices

OPINION: Many Kiwis know that the decisions we make today will shape our future for years to come. With the election now announced for 7 November, the country faces a critical question: What choice will we make for our future?

Editorial: Having a rural voice

OPINION: The past few weeks have been tough on farms across the North Island: floods and storms have caused damage and disruption to families and businesses.

Featured

Global Trade Uncertainty 'Likely To Remain'

Global trade has been thrown into another bout of uncertainty following the overnight ruling by US Supreme Court, striking down President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional tariffs on trading partners.

Queensland Fruit Fly Movement Controls Lifted in Mt Roskill

Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill have been lifted.

Another Windfall for Fonterra Farmers, Unit Holders

Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.

Dairy Farmers Urged to Review High-GWP Refrigerants as Phase-Down Accelerates

Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the refrigerants running inside their on-farm systems, as international and domestic pressure continues to build on high global warming potential (GWP) 400-series refrigerants.

Fonterra Milk Price Raised to $9.50/kgMS

As expected, Fonterra has lifted its 2025-26 forecast farmgate milk price mid-point to $9.50/kgMS.

Bovonic Study Shows $29,547 Seasonal Benefit for NZ Dairy Farmers

Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.