Fingers crossed
Mike Petersen is one person who's closely monitoring the progress of the FTA with the EU.
A mate of the Hound reckons outgoing special agricultural trade envoy Mike Petersen, who is due to finish his current role at the end of the year, is currying favour – and job prospects – with the Government by backing its moves to lump agriculture into the ETS.
Petersen was recently quoted in media as telling farmers to “get on with it” in reducing their carbon footprint. The politically savvy Petersen said: “If people think this is being dreamed up by NZ politicians to get at NZ farmers then you need to think again”.
Your old mate’s informant claims that with lines like this it won’t be too long before Petersen finds himself appointed to another well-paid, taxpayer-funded gig on one of the many working groups, advisory panels and talkfests the Government is so fond of setting up.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.