Wednesday, 29 January 2014 11:27

Wills welcomes Labour words

Written by 

FEDERATED FARMERS appreciates Labour Party leader David Cunliffe including the Primary Industries in his State of the Nation speech.

"It may only have been a small part of a larger speech but it was pleasing to read and later hear what David Cunliffe had to say about New Zealand's primary industries," says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers president.

"Having hosted Mr Cunliffe at our National Council last November, Federated Farmers will work constructively with all political parties who believe we can be more than we are today.

"Federated Farmers is developing an election year Manifesto encapsulating our policy objectives and priorities to take New Zealand agriculture forward.

"It is our hope that Labour recognises the need for policies to support growth of our productive primary base as opposed to old fashioned tax and spend."

Wills says 70% of New Zealand's merchandise exports come from the primary industries, which, in turn, employs over 138,000 New Zealanders.

"Another way to look at it is that agriculture, forestry and fisheries employ more than three times the number of people working in information, media and telecommunications.

"That's just the tip because there will be many jobs in our growing manufacturing base due to the Primary Industries, just as there will be in transport and logistics too.

"Increasing the value of what we produce on-farm directly benefits every New Zealander because farmgate returns are injected directly into provincial veins of New Zealand's economy.

"We know from the renaissance of natural sustainable wool that value-add isn't just possible, it's essential. It is part awareness like the Campaign for Wool and part new business models like Wellington textile design house, The Formary.

"Only today, Synlait upped its milk-price forecast due in part to better returns from value-add exports. A story we see in other milk processors like Tatua and Miraka, as well as in a handful of truly innovative meat exporters.

"Of course, we look forward to fleshing Labour's policies out with them but there is some cause for optimism," Wills says.

Cunliffe's reference to primary industries in his State of the Nation speech was: "Everyone knows the world is changing, and we need to change with it.......

"That's why we will assist exporters hit hard in the pocket by a high dollar through reforming the Reserve Bank Act.
"And that's why we will to assist our primary industries to keep jobs and profits in this country.

"Because when raw logs, or bulk fish, or whole carcasses - rather than finished products - sail off our shores, so does most of the added value."

More like this

Working with farmers to ensure best outcomes

OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.

Editorial: Nitrate emergency?

OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.

Federated Farmers slam Canterbury nitrate emergency

A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.

Featured

Editorial: Right call

OPINION: Public pressure has led to Canterbury Police rightly rolling back its proposed restructure that would have seen several rural police stations closed in favour of centralised hubs.

Owl Farm marks 10 years as NZ’s first demonstration dairy farm

In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter's School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Quid prod quo?

OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…

Deadwood

OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter