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Mid-Canterbury farming leader Chris Allen.
Tributes have flowed in from around the country for mid-Canterbury farming leader Chris Allen who died in a tragic accident on his farm near Ashburton.
Allen served on the board of Federated Farmers for more than eight years and took on the challenging portfolio of water and biodiversity.
Feds national president Wayne Langford says there were a few tears in the organisation's national office when the news came through.
"I have been flooded with messages from right across the country from people who Chris has worked with or had been a part of their lives," he says.
Langford says Allen will be remembered for his collaborative nature, his ability to get on with people from all walks of life and to come up with workable solutions - not only for farmers but also the environment as well.
"He had a quote which I will always remember and one that really defines him. It was 'Things need to be sensible, practical and affordable'. This is a quote that can be applied across a lot of issues," he says.
Allen and his wife Ann-Maree farmed an irrigated sheep and beef property near Mt Somers. Neighbour and Feds mid-Canterbury president, David Acland says people are just gutted and shaken at his sudden death.
"He had incredible mana and was widely respected by politicians of all political parties. He was a person who could work across groups and parties and find a way forward," he says.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
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Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
New Zealand's role is not to compete with Indian growers, according to NZ Apples and Pears.
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