Be afraid
OPINION: Your old mate hears some of the recent uptick in farmer confidence has slipped since the political polls started leading a bit to the left, away from the current coalition of National, Act and NZ First.
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?
