Monday, 08 April 2019 10:46

Hero or hypocrite?

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Your old mate was interested to see Trade Minister David Parker recently hailing the success of the revamped TPP trade deal.

According to Parker, the deal is “already delivering benefits for New Zealand”. Benefits for the ag sector include a reduction in the tariff on our beef into Japan, an increase in NZ butter exports to Canada and a doubling of our cheese exports to Mexico – in the month after the agreement came into force in January 2018.

This is all good stuff. However, the Hound wants to know if this David Parker now skiting about the success of the TPP is the same man who was marching in the streets in 2015 scare-mongering about the evils of the deal? While your old mate reckons it is good to see that Parker has had a change of heart, others might be less charitable and call him nothing but a hypocrite.

More like this

Dead in the water

OPINION: In a victory for common sense over virtue signalling, David Parker's National Policy Statement (NPS) work on freshwater is now dead in the water.

Editorial: Urgent action!

OPINION: When we finally get a government (no agreement had been finalised at time of writing), the first thing the new administration needs to review is all the regional and district plans that are being rolled out across the country to comply with the new National Policy Statement (NPS).

Parting shot?

OPINION: Environment Minister David Parker, likely in the final weeks of the job, remains hell-bent on burning bridges with farmers.

Forestry regulations updated

New national standards will give local councils more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce the impacts on communities and the environment, says Environment Minister David Parker.

Environment Minister labels protest group 'dinosaurs'

Environment Minister David Parker has labelled members of rural ginger group Groundswell NZ as “dinosaurs”.

Featured

Feds throw support behind Climate Change Response Amendment Bill

Farmer lobby group Federated Farmers has announced it is supporting a new Member’s Bill which it says could bring clarity to New Zealand farmers and save millions in legal costs.

DairyNZ announces levy referendum date

DairyNZ has announced the date for its upcoming Milksolids Levy vote.

Greenpeace fearmongering on glyphosate - Feds

Federated Farmers says climate protest group Greenpeace is manufacturing outrage and attempting to scare New Zealanders with headlines that have no basis in science.

Cheeses recalled over listeria risk

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) says it is supporting importer Goodfood Group in its decision to recall Food Snob and Mon Ami brand French Brie and Camembert cheeses.

Editorial: Hope for the best

New Zealand's dairy industry is right to call out Donald Trump over the damage the additional 15% tariff the US is imposing on our exports but also imposition on lower tariffs on our competitors.

Agri Futures Scholarships 2025 open for young rural Kiwis

Applications are now open for the Agri Futures Scholarships, helping young Kiwis from rural backgrounds kickstart careers in agriculture and rural sports.