Home detention for animal neglect
A Taranaki dairy farmer received four-month home detention and was disqualified from overseeing of animals for 18 months over a lack of feed and welfare which led to some animals being euthanised.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Minister Nathan Guy believes most farmers are environmentalists and understand the need to improve our water quality.
Speaking at the launch of freshwater proposals yesterday, he said farmers want to leave the environment in a better state than they found they found it.
"Farmers recognise the importance of our freshwater resource and understand there will be costs; and they have shown they want to work constructively," he says.
"We've seen huge progress over the last 10 years. Farmers are fencing their waterways, they are doing riparian planting, and we have the Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord. All of these things are voluntary – with farmers showing leadership."
Guy says to improve our water quality it will be important for everyone - including urban, hydro generation, industry, recreation and all primary sectors users- to shoulder the burden.
He says the primary sector needs reasonable timeframes to adjust, good decision making including robust science and economic information, guidance on how to manage to limits; and new technologies to help make water quality improvements.
"The Government will work with councils and communities on these proposed changes, including guidance and support with good management practice and new technologies as they become available.
"The framework will also be underpinned by good information that supports regional decision-making, including the environmental, social and economic impacts of any proposed objectives and limits.
"Where costs of meeting national bottom lines may be high, council will have the discretion to set suitable timeframes that give businesses and communities time to adjust without undue hardship. This flexibility will be on a case by case basis."
Farmlands chief executive Tanya Houghton says farming is becoming an increasingly digital and data-driven business.
The four-day National Fieldays at Mystery Creek last week attracted 106,000 visitors.
The Government's decision to keep agriculture out of the New Zealand emissions trading scheme (ETS) has been roundly applauded by farmers.
Zespri has launched a global campaign focused on encouraging people to eat better to help tackle health challenges and improve lives around the world.
MPI director-general, Ray Smith believes the downturn actually bottomed out in about January, and since then says things have been on the improve but adds that every sector will have different trajectory or timeline as to when there will be an improvement.
Except for horticulture, New Zealand’s main primary exports – namely dairy, meat and wool and forestry - are in for a bumpy ride in the coming 12 months.
OPINION: Fonterra's decision to exit the ‘value-add’ game and sell its consumer brands business seems to have been met with…
OPINION: The old saying ‘Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die’ seems to apply to the…