Tuesday, 21 September 2021 15:30

Dirty tricks?

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: An email from Fed Farmers' president Andrew Hoggard to Ag Minister Damien O'Connor saying some unkind things about the Groundswell movement - before its big countrywide protest in July - was recently released to a media outfit under an Official Information Act (OIA) request.

This has put Feds in a bad light and helped drive a wedge between it and Groundswell.

The Hound suggests this was a deliberate, Machiavellian move by O'Connor to foster ag sector infighting and take the heat off his government's imposition of numerous anti-farming regulations.

It turns out that O'Connor (and PM Ardern) refused to release other communications about Groundswell in the same OIA request, "to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or members of an organisation..."

More like this

Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade

When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.

Methane emission target reset

OPINION: For close to eight years now, I have found myself talking about methane quite a lot.

Full cabinet

OPINION: Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the cogs of Cabinet.

New freshwater farm plans 'practical and affordable'

OPINION: Entering Parliament back in 2023, I wanted to help put the fun back in farming. After six years of Labour, rural New Zealand was tired of the relentless waves of red tape and compliance, draining joy from people who just want to work the land.

Poultry industry, Govt sign landmark biosecurity deal

The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).

Featured

Wairarapa’s Bradley Wadsworth blends farming and technology

Bradley Wadsworth lives on the family farm – Omega Station – in the Wairarapa about 30 minutes’ drive east from Masterton.

When will global milk production hit a tipping point?

With global milk prices falling, the question is when will key exporting countries reach a tipping point where production starts to dip.

Rural contractors call for national air plan standard in RMA reforms

Rural contractors want the Government to include a national standard for air plans as part of its Resource Management Act reforms.

NZ Local Government Reform: Regional councils axed, CTBs proposed

The biggest reform of local government in more than 35 years is underway.

MPI launches industry-wide project to manage feral deer

An industry-wide project led by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is underway to deal with the rising number of feral pests, in particular, browsing pests such as deer and pigs.