Feds support live animal exports
Federated Farmers have reiterated their support for the coalition Government to abolish the present ban on the live export of animals.
A NEW REPORT into the Government's Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme is a desperate attempt by Minister Nathan Guy to justify his lolly scramble ahead of an investigation by the Auditor-General, Labour's Primary Industries spokesperson Damien O'Connor says.
"The NZIER report claims the PGP has the potential to add $11.1 billion to the economy per annum in 2025, but only if all the research and development runs flawlessly, the aspirational stretch of its programmes are achieved and the innovations taken up widely.
"That is a tall order.
"The PGP aims to foster primary-sector innovation and investment in joint partnership with industries. It has now committed more than $700 million of taxpayer and farmer money to a range of projects. This is the National Government's method of reaching its goal of doubling exports.
"The problem is there are no quantifiable results as to how these programmes will actually achieve this.
"Labour is not alone with its concerns about the PGP. The Auditor-General has also decided to take a closer look at how the money for these programmes is allocated and, more importantly, how it is accounted for."
Farmers appear to be backing the Government's recent Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms announcement.
For the first time, all the big names in agricultural drone technology are being brought together under one marquee at the National Fieldays.
Fonterra has announced an improved third quarter performance – with a profit after tax of $1.15 billion, up $119 million on the same period last year.
The Fieldays Innovation Awards competition has attracted a diverse and impressive array of innovations from across the primary industries, highlighting the growing importance of technology shaping the future of farming.
Coming to the fore following the carnage of Cyclone Gabrielle, Starlink became well known for providing internet access even in NZ's most inaccessible places.
From this winter farmers will have a greater choice of feed types and blend options than ever before, thanks to Farmlands' purchase of animal nutrition company SealesWinslow.
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