M.I.A.
OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.
OPINION: The Hound would have thought with the country under the red light setting due to the threat of Omicron ravaging the nation, industry leaders and the Government would hold off mass gatherings that risk crippling NZ's primary sector.
However, it seems the promoters of the primary industry climate action partnership, He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN), and its government masters are forcing farmers to continue with its proposed round of consultation meetings.
Despite Beef+Lamb chair Andrew Morrison declaring the HWEN consultations "the most important things farmers will do this year", the meetings will be limited to only 100 people with only the vaccinated able to attend.
Why have HWEN not pushed back on government demands for the consultations to go ahead, given the restrictions on numbers and obvious health risks?
Is this just another sign of the current industry leadership's total feebleness when it comes to government?
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.
Fears of a serious early drought in Hawke’s Bay have been allayed – for the moment at least.

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