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!
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.
Thirty years ago, as a young sharemilker, former Waikato farmer Snow Chubb realised he was bucking a trend when he started planting trees to provide shade for his cows, but he knew the animals would appreciate what he was doing.

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