About time!
OPINION: Finally, the jackboot of State will be lifted from the throat of those trying to grow the economy.
OPINION: You canine crusader wants to tip his hat to Fed Farmers for busting the Government’s dodgy tactics in trying to buy support to rush through its controversial RMA reforms.
Feds RMA spokesperson Mark Hooper recently blew the whistle on attempts by the Ministry for the Environment to fund ‘NGO participation in resource management and freshwater reform processes’ to the tune of up to $600,000 each.
Hooper says Feds were approached to participate in the scheme to help rush through the reforms just four weeks before the election but turned it down.
“This doesn’t pass the sniff test for us at this stage of the political cycle,” Hooper explained.
It begs the question of the ethics of the Government forking out hundreds of thousands of dollars, on the eve of the election, to select lobby groups to engage with its proposed policy changes.
Quotas and free trade deals are saving the beef sector over $1 billion in tariffs each year, says Beef+Lamb NZ chief executive Alan Thomson.
There's general farmer backing for the government's latest reforms of the Resource Management Act (RMA) but some are seeking clarity.
The Commerce Commission is weighing up whether or not it should deregulate the copper network, still used for internet and landline in 80,000 rural premises.
With two months until National Fieldays at Mystery Creek, organisers say 90% of sites have been booked by exhibitors.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says access to reliable irrigation water is essential for a thriving horticultural sector.
The drought in western parts of the North Island is reaching crisis point with many farmers from Northland to Taranaki having to truck in water and feed for their stock at great expense.