Primary industry “gave the finger” to attempts to overhaul the original NAIT scheme, Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor says.

New National agriculture spokesman Todd Muller says he will spend time listening to the views of the primary industries.

The timing just feels right, says Nathan Guy, National’s former Minister for Primary Industries, who said last week he would not stand in the 2020 election. 

Farmers regarded Nathan Guy as a pragmatic and knowledgeable Minister for Primary Industries, says Federated Farmers.

Otaki MP and former Agriculture Minister Nathan Guy will not be seeking re-election next year and retiring from politics.

Farmers want policy certainty and are petrified about “kneejerk popular politics” similar to what the Government did with the oil and gas industry, says National agriculture spokesman Nathan Guy.

National has five ‘bottom lines’ for the Zero Carbon Bill likely to come before Parliament in the next month or two, says primary industries spokesman Nathan Guy.

Farmers’ confidence is at its lowest since 2009 and it’s mostly due to the new Government, says National’s Agriculture spokesperson Nathan Guy.

National says the government has turned its back on the major agricultural training provider Taratahi.

Farmers are supporting a bill from National’s Nathan Guy to introduce harsher penalties and offences for those who deliberately contaminate food.