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.
OPINION: Your canine crusader suggests hopes for a change in some of the anti-farming government policies will not be helped by the clear dearth of farming experience and lack of rural knowledge in the ranks of the current Labour administration.
This has been made abundantly clear by its choice of chair and deputy of the primary production select committee.
The Hound reckons that while Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor remains the only member of the current Government with any actual farming background and understanding and have his work cut now with the addition of the huge trade portfolio to manage.
Meanwhile, O’Connor will get bugger all real world advice from the new chair of the primary production select committee Jo Luxton, a former playcentre teacher, or her deputy, former union delegate, and newbie MP Steph Lewis. God help us!
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.

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