Need for Science Investment Reset
OPINION: New Zealand's prosperity has always been built on farmers and scientists working together to shape our economy.
OPINION: As this old mutt suggested in the last issue, MPI looks a very good candidate for some serious public sector savings that the government is currently looking for.
This follows news that the MPI has started consulting staff on proposals that will see 384 jobs cut as it aims to trim its workforce by 9%.
Around 40% of those roles are currently vacant and will not be filled.
In the last five years alone, MPI have employed 1100 new staff.
Of course, as soon as the cost cutting was announced, the public service union has tried to run a scare campaign claiming these cuts will see the likes of M. bovis and Psa programmes gutted and risking NZ exports.
However, the fact is Psa was wiped out years ago and currently there are no active M. bovis cases in the country.
What does the union want?
Thousands of underemployed bureaucrats sitting around in offices, twiddling their pens on $100k plus a year? Get real!
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
According to the latest ANZ Agri Focus report, energy-intensive and domestically-focused sectors currently bear the brunt of rising fuel, fertiliser and freight costs.
Having gone through a troublesome “divorce” from its association and part ownership of AGCO, Indian manufacturer TAFE is said to be determined to be seen as a modern business rather than just another tractor maker from the developing world.
Two long-standing New Zealand agricultural businesses are coming together to strengthen innovation, local manufacturing capability, and access to essential farm inputs for farmers across the country.
A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.

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