Mark Cameron Steps Down, Reflects on Farmers' Voice
When Northland farmer Mark Cameron entered parliament six years ago, the Beehive was a lonely place.
OPINION: The Hound was astounded at the glib response from Greens leader James Shaw to a written parliamentary question from ACT MP Mark Cameron.
Shaw was asked if he was surprised that farmer confidence was at a record low in the latest Farm Confidence Survey and if he believed one of the top concerns of farmer respondents was "regulation and compliance costs - a catch-all for the wave of reform, regulation, red tape and costs swamping the sector?"
Shaw replied: "The agriculture sector contributes 50% of New Zealand's gross emissions. Approximately 94% of our nitrous oxide emissions and around 91% of our biogenic methane emissions are from agriculture."
Cameron actually thought Shaw's office had mistakenly submitted the wrong answer, but they clarified it is exactly what the Climate Change Minister intended to say.
Massey University vice chancellor Pierre Venter says his institute is moving from a period of austerity into a growth phase, based on their new strategy.
With the red meat sector going through a boom time with high prices, the time is right for the industry to step up its investment into developing new food products.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Nick Beeby says there’s now much closer cooperation between meat processing companies than there was many years ago.
A new fruit quality research laboratory has been opened in Auckland by agritech company Hectre to develop pioneering hyperspectral technology.
Farmer lobby Groundswell believes that farmers are worried about the implications of a potential centre-left government.
With less than a week to go before voters choose the next government, Federated Farmers has a simple message to its members - get out and vote.

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