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!
Power bills could be lower, and power restored faster following a storm if landowners took greater responsibility for trimming trees - so they don't come down on transmission lines.
A Hawke's Bay farming family of self-confessed 'frequent flyers' has donated the proceeds from their spring lambs.
Biosecurity New Zealand is intensifying its campaign to locate and eliminate the invasive yellow-legged hornet, following confirmed detections on Auckland's North Shore.
Following a recent director election, Canterbury farmer Sean Molloy has been appointed to the New Zealand Pork Industry Board.
Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of food products, including New Zealand beef.
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