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.
A mate of the Hound’s wonders just how Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor is getting along with his 2IC in the agriculture portfolio Meka Whaitiri.
Remembering O’Connor’s infamous comment about the Labour Party list selection process, a few years back, in which the West Coast MP described it as controlled by ‘’self-serving unionists and a gaggle of gays’’, the Hound’s mate suggests it could make for an ‘interesting’ working relationship between O’Connor and Whaitiri.
That’s because the associate ag minister’s whanau are “staunch union members’’ and she is also a proud member of the Labour Party’s rainbow caucus.
Mind you, your old mate suggests if O’Connor does get out of line, Whaitiri should avoid giving him a bit of a slap – like she was accused of in her first term as a minister and subsequently lost her job!
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.

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