Nestle reportedly withdraws from methane accord
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
OPINION: Federated Farmers is pleased that a Member's Bill from ACT MP Mark Cameron has put opportunities for live animal exports back on the political agenda.
With industry-initiated Live Export NZ 'Gold Standard' animal welfare precautions - as well as enforcement of the recommendations on sea voyages from the independent review - New Zealand can be a global exemplar in this trade.
Recent cyclones have put a massive hit on our infrastructure and productive sector. For example, it may be years before our pipfruit industry recovers.
Can New Zealand afford to turn its back on annual export income of $400m-$500m?
The government-instituted live export ban comes into full effect on 30 April this year after a transition/wind-down period.
New Zealand has an international reputation for strong animal welfare. While there has been robust and continuous improvement in our live export practices, the industry is open to recommendations for further precautions. These include regulation aimed at minimising sea voyage risk from seasonal weather events.
The global live cattle trade will continue but from countries and by exporters with lower animal standards filling the gap enforced on us. If we were still involved, our high standards would push others into lifting their game.
We've also lost the opportunity to have influence, via commercial relationships, over the welfare of exported animals after they've arrived in countrie such as China.
Federated Farmers and the many businesses, which have been involved in this trade, want discussions re-opened.
But the debate should be based on facts rather than politics and ideology.
It's an election year, and rural New Zealand looks forward to hearing the policies of the various parties on this topic and others that are so important to provincial economies.
Richard McIntyre is a Federated Farmers national board member and its Dairy Chair.
Applications have now opened for the 2026 Meat Industry Association scholarships.
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through a new initiative designed to make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking easier.
OPINION: While farmers are busy and diligently doing their best to deal with unwanted gasses, the opponents of farming - namely the Greens and their mates - are busy polluting the atmosphere with tirades of hot air about what farmers supposedly aren't doing.
OPINION: For close to eight years now, I have found myself talking about methane quite a lot.
The Royal A&P Show of New Zealand, hosted by the Canterbury A&P Association, is back next month, bigger and better after the uncertainty of last year.
Claims that farmers are polluters of waterways and aquifers and 'don't care' still ring out from environmental groups and individuals. The phrase 'dirty dairying' continues to surface from time to time. But as reporter Peter Burke points out, quite the opposite is the case. He says, quietly and behind the scenes, farmers are embracing new ideas and technologies to make their farms sustainable, resilient, environmentally friendly and profitable.
OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…