Wednesday, 25 August 2021 10:30

Wood for the trees?

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: The Hound wonders when the powers-that-be will take a serious look at how their infatuation with pleasing the UN and implementing crazy policies to mitigate (not reduce) the country's carbon footprint is doing severe damage to our economy.

Recent research by Beef+Lamb NZ reveals the disturbing scale of the loss of pasture-based farming land to forestry over the past few years, with some 36,824ha productive farming land lost to forestry in 2019 alone and that 700,000 stock units have disappeared over the past three years.

Much of this land has gone to carbon sinks, where huge carbon entities - such as airlines, power and petrol companies - are buying up swathes of NZ farmland and turning it into forests (which are never harvested) to offset their growing carbon output while they keep on polluting.

More like this

New Mates

OPINION: Proponents of regenerative agriculture tend to be naturally aligned with a 'green mindset', so they will be nonplussed with their new mates in the US of A.

Levy Scrutiny

OPINION: Mike Chapman, former chief executive of levy-funded HortNZ, has thrown out a challenge to farmers and growers to put their levy-funded industry organisations under the same scrutiny as fertiliser, electricity, labour and freight.

True Reflection?

A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any given issue.

Stuffed!

The canine crusader always has his nose in the air for more media maleficence, so was pointing as soon as he saw the Stuff headline: ‘Wellington residents respond to PM saying he doesn’t need his job!’.

Civil Circus!

OPINION: It really is getting harder to lampoon government bureaucrats when they do such a good job of it themselves.

Anyone in the primary sector will know about the clowns covering the countryside in the red tape we all have to wade through.

Spare a thought then for media outfit Stuff who were threatened with fines up to $200,000 by a snivelling civil servant from the MoH for illustrating a quiz question with a photo of part of the cover of a 45-year-old copy Playboy.

As Stuff notes, “It wasn’t the Playboy cover which caused offence. No, it was the back page which… featured an advert for a cigarette brand”.

As Regulations Minister David Seymour notes, “The real scandal here is, well, no wonder we’ve got problems in healthcare when they’re doing the Stuff quiz during work time.”

Featured

Halter Names Six Winners in Biggest One Year Free Yet

Halter has announced the six winners of its 2026 One Year Free competition, marking the biggest year yet for the annual award and the first time the company has expanded the field beyond its usual line-up.

Mel Ewers Wins NZAPI Outstanding Contribution Award

For 50 years, Tasman's Mel Ewers has been helping the apple sector navigate through compliance issues and training.

NZ Ploughing Team to Use Borrowed Gear After Shipping Mix-Up

The New Zealand ploughing team to the world championship in Croatia next month will be banking on borrowed equipment as they seek glory.

Mark Patterson Promotes NZ Wool at India's Bharat Textile Expo

Just a matter of hours after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic trip to New Zealand, the political doors in India swung wide open for Associate Minister of Agriculture, Mark Patterson, who was there to help promote our high-quality coarse wool.

New Company ASTEC to Supply Asparagopsis Seaweed for Methane Research

A new company set up to cultivate and supply seaweed for animal methane mitigation studies believes it could be a game changer for the dairy industry.

Horticulture Sector Backs Government's RSE Scheme Overhaul

There's strong support from the horticulture sector for the Government's plans to overhaul and streamline the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.