Thursday, 25 April 2024 09:55

Potential threats to our reputation

Written by  Helen Mandeno

South Waikato farmer Helen Mandeno recently delivered a speech at Beef + Lamb NZ's annual meeting in Nelson. She spoke in support of her remit on B+LNZ seeking majority consensus from levy payers before advancing policies that may threaten NZ's pure, grass-fed and non-GE status. Here's part of what she said:

I believe strongly that the potential risks to human and animal health and the risk to our industry reputation of altering the rumen of our ruminants through methane vaccines, methane boluses, feed additives and GM grasses is of such huge consequence that all NZ farmers should get a say in this decision.

NZ farmers will be asked to spend time and money on products that will deliver no tangible benefit to their farming systems whatsoever, except perhaps giving them a 'license to farm' in the sense of 'being seen to be reducing ruminant emissions'. Reductions in global temperatures due to these measures will be impossible to measure because they are totally insignificant.

What I find really concerning is that Beef + Lamb and Federated Farmers were very quick to embrace discussions around GMO grasses, methane vaccines, feed additives, methane boluses and any other 'biotech tool' that alters the rumen of the gut without seeking clearance from farmers. The subject of genetic modification and/or gene editing can be an emotive and polarising topic. Many times people have an opinion that is based on very little scientific understanding or they may resort to 'group think' without knowing what they are truly supporting.

Regarding methane vaccines: while vaccination for unwanted diseases is a common practice, an additional vaccination that has no benefits to the animal and that targets a naturally occurring rumen organism could well face consumer, regulatory and animal welfare hurdles.

I urge great caution on this journey of fast-tracked novel biotechnology tools.

There is huge risk for very little gain. Advancing biotechnology in the name of climate change is only ever going to serve those with commercial interests in the biotech companies. Trying to trim millionths or even thousandths of a degree warming, which is a temperature difference virtually impossible to measure, is both illogical and unjustifiable. The benefits are an expensive illusion.

More like this

Dairy power

OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.

Farmer input needed to combat FE

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on livestock farmers to take part in a survey measuring the financial impact of facial eczema (FE).

FE survey underway

Beef + Lamb NZ wants farmers to complete a survey that will shed light on the financial toll of facial eczema (FE) at the farm level.

Featured

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter