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 hears Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor recently had a crack at the banks, calling them “fair weather friends” of the farming sector who are currently putting undue pressure on the rural sector.
Now, your old mate is no friend of the banks, but he suggests that – like any business, mortgage holder or person – those farmers who are heavily indebted and finding it hard to pay loans will come under scrutiny from the banks.
However, if O’Connor was serious about being a ‘friend’ of the farming sector he wouldn’t be advocating things like the proposed freshwater reforms, farming in the ETS, taxes on fertiliser and a myriad of things his government has done to make life more difficult for farmers, forcing them to rely on the banks for more financial support.
The minister should be looking in the mirror before throwing rocks at others!
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.

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