It’s well known that Environment Minister David Parker has had a huge chip on his shoulder against the farming sector ever since his plans to introduce a fart tax – when he was last in Government – were stifled by industry protests.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, while always talking a good game, has strongly backed every anti-farming policy that his Labour Party has wanted to introduce.
So it was no surprise to your old mate that when Parker and O’Connor announced their freshwater proposals no farming sector groups were invited.
However, anti-farming groups Fish & Game, Choose Clean Water, Forest & Bird and Greenpeace were all given front row seats.