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FEDERATED FARMERS new president Dr William Rolleston says the organisation is a "broad church' which must represent the views of all its members.
Rolleston, who has been vice-president since 2011, says he believes we can learn from all form of farming systems, including organic practices, "so long as these are underpinned by robust science".
"Given the overwhelming scientific consensus is that human activity, including agriculture, plays a significant role in climate change, science and innovation are key to the future of farming. Science and innovation are also key to the water quality sphere," says Rolleston.
Rolleston says it is fortunate the grain and seed industry group chairperson, Ian Mackenzie, is staying on the board for another year. His work in the Land & Water Forum was publicly acknowledged by our Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy.
"Ian is widely respected even among the environmental lobby. His expertise and wise counsel will be welcome," Rolleston says. So will the support of his vice-president Anders Crofoot.
"As our buildings spokesperson, I must acknowledge the success Federated Farmers has had in convincing Government to remove farm structures from its earthquake prone buildings bill.
"A $170 million saving for farmers is an auspicious start for my tenure and a tangible example of the value Federated Farmers delivers for its members and farming in general.
"I will draw on the myriad of skills that the West Coast's Katie Milne offers, especially on the high profile areas of rural security, employment and adverse events.
"As a board member at large, she is joined in that capacity by mid-Canterbury's Chris Allen, who is fast developing expertise in water policy.
"I look forward to working with my newly elected Industry group chairs, Rick Powdrell from Bay of Plenty for meat and fibre and Andrew Hoggard from Manawatu-Rangtikei for dairy.
"Both are exceptionally talented farmers with an outstanding grasp of industry issues.
"Speaking of extremely talented people, Bruce Wills has been an inspiration to me. His focus on environment collaboration and communication has done much to represent the modern face of farming. These are themes I wish to continue with the new board.
"As a board it speaks volumes about Federated Farmers that someone of Graham Smith's calibre came to us to be our new chief executive.
"As Graham has started the handover process with Conor English I wish to thank Conor for his guidance over the period I was vice-president and before that as a provincial president.
"I am excited by the future," Rolleston says.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
Federated Farmers says the final report into banking competition is a significant step forward for rural New Zealand - and a vindication of the farming sector's concern.
Farmer lobby group Federated Farmers has announced it is supporting a new Member’s Bill which it says could bring clarity to New Zealand farmers and save millions in legal costs.
Federated Farmers says climate protest group Greenpeace is manufacturing outrage and attempting to scare New Zealanders with headlines that have no basis in science.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
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