Green but not much grass!
Dairy farmers in the lower North Island are working on protecting next season, according to Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre, who farms just north of the Horowhenua township of Levin.
Feds president William Rolleston has called for the NZ government to stand strong in the TPP negotiations.
He told delegates to the Feds annual conference that agriculture is still the country’s greatest strength and it is not for sacrificial slaughter on the table of compromise.
“If nations cannot tolerate free trade, including in agriculture, they need to step aside from the TPP negotiations and let those who are willing finish the deal.”
Referring to low prices in the dairy industry, Rolleston reminded delegates that as an open and trading nation NZ was vulnerable to international events.
“The Greek debt default is a fast moving feast and there is plenty to play out. Falling stock markets in Shanghai, in response, could have a chilling effect on confidence in China and pose a potential risk to our exports. Panic in world affairs has never been a winning strategy so we look to the leaders involved to play it cool and settle the situation.”
Rolleston, recently elected deputy chair of the World Farmers Organisation, returned from a WFO meeting just hours before the Feds met. He sees common issues for farmers worldwide, including access to modern technology and government investment in agricultural science.
“While for some, lack of access to technologies is a problem of scale and finance, for us it is regulatory. NZ farmers should have access to modern technologies such as nanotechnology, genetic modification and pesticides when they are shown to be safe.
“Do we need regulation? Of course we do, but it should be based on risk rather than process,” he says.
'A lot of interest and positive responses' appears to be the way farmers are viewing the Government's initiative to hold a series of woolshed meetings around the country.
A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says access to personal banking services in rural communities is fundamental to promoting outcomes that benefit Kiwi consumers.
A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.
Meat processor ANZCO Foods says despite a challenging business environment, it has posted a net profit before tax of $61 million for 2023.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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