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.
The Hound can’t believe how full of hot air this Government is in demanding the ag sector reduce its carbon footprint – no matter what the cost – while it fails to do anything itself.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, with 16 members of his hugely expensive, invisible and ineffective Primary Sector Council, were more than happy to jet off around the world clocking up huge air miles and carbon gases to attend a glorified talkfest in the US.
O’Connor and his PSC lapdogs joined other NZ primary industry leaders at the recent Stanford University, California, for the annual Te Hono Bootcamp.
As a mate of yours truly asked, “Surely it would have been better for the planet to have these ag leaders meet in Wellington and have the Stanford University experts Skype in.”
Yes, but that’s not how the Government and its mates work.
For more than 50 years, Waireka Research Station at New Plymouth has been a hub for globally important trials of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides, carried out on 16ha of orderly flat plots hedged for protection against the strong winds that sweep in from New Zealand’s west coast.
There's a special sort of energy at the East Coast Farming Expo, especially when it comes to youth.
OPINION: The latest reforms of local government should come as no surprise.
The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.
Rural recycling scheme Agrecovery is welcoming the Government's approval of regulations for a nationwide rural recycling scheme for agrichemicals and farm plastics.
Despite a late and unfavourable start, this year’s strawberry crop is expected to be bountiful for producer and consumer alike.

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