Feds Label New Farmer Group 'Bad News'
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
In a statement over the weekend, Cavendish says that considering information made available to him recently, he cannot “in good conscience” continue to act as a spokesperson for the Fair For Farmers campaign.
Fair For Farmers claims to represent NZ farmers operating with high standards and opposes a loophole that allows products to be sold here that would be illegal to produce on a New Zealand farm.
It says that for example, over 60% of pork sold in NZ is imported, mostly from countries allowing the use of sow stalls, a system we moved away from years ago.
Last week Federated Farmers criticised Fair For Farmers and Cavendish and questioned their links to some organisations.
It claimed that Animal Policy International, whose funding comes from “big international players involved in the vegan, plant-based, and alternative-protein scene” are pulling the strings in the background.
Cavendish, a Waikato dairy farmer, says that initially, he had asked questions about the structure, influences, and affiliations behind the campaign he was fronting.
“I was given answers: I accepted those answers,” he says.
But he adds that further information has emerged that raises issues he cannot reconcile.
“You cannot on one hand claim to stand for farmers and on the other be connected to a legacy that has actively worked against them.
“That contradiction is not something I am prepared to front, defend, or explain away.
“Accordingly, I have withdrawn as a spokesperson for Fair for Farmers.”
But Cavendish says his position on supporting NZ farmers hasn’t changed.
“My position on the need to support New Zealand farmers upholds strong animal welfare standards and ensure a fair and sustainable domestic food system remains exactly as it was.
“I remain a strong advocate for the New Zealand pork industry, the poultry sector, and rural New Zealand more broadly.
“I believe in fairness for farmers. I have argued for it publicly and without hesitation.
“But advocacy must be grounded in clarity and integrity.”
Cavendish says he will continue farmer advocacy, through his ‘Farming with Walt’ platform.
Fair for Farmers says that it is sorry to see Cavendish leave the campaign.
“Walt has been a fantastic advocate. He’s a straight-talking and forceful personality and has made a real difference.
“We have enjoyed working with him and are glad that he is going to continue his work to try to push to see the same standards applied to food products we import as apply to our own farms,” the lobby says.
Fair For Farmers maintains that its campaign has been transparent “that we are a coalition of both farmers and people with an animal welfare background”.
