Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut under the Government's plan to reduce the public service.
Former DairyNZ chairman John Luxton is not hanging up his gumboots yet.
The former agriculture minister stepped down last week as DairyNZ chairman after an eight-year stint. But he is retaining his other connections with the sector, remaining a director of the Waikato independent milk processor Tatua.
He is also co-chairman of the Waikato River Authority, and chairs the Porirua Farm Ltd partnerships that manage eight farms. He owns a home farm where his son is sharemilking.
Luxton told Rural News it is good to retire from DairyNZ on his own terms. "It's a four-year term and it's time for younger ones to come through."
Luxton says he is leaving "a really good team of directors" to run the industry-good organisation.
About 100 farmers attended the annual meeting, a near-record turnout.
Primary Industry Minister Nathan Guy at the meeting thanked Luxton for uniting the industry. "It hasn't been an easy job at times, to make farmers realise they have to make changes to farming practices."
He says under Luxton's leadership DairyNZ has taken a lead role in improving the industry's environmental credentials.
Luxton served as a National MP for 15 years, including nine years as a cabinet minister and a stint as minister of agriculture.
Guy says the relationship between DairyNZ and the Government has been great under Luxton's leadership.
DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle described Luxton as a rock for the organisation. "We look forward to keeping engaged with you since you're not hanging up your boots yet," he says.
The DairyNZ board will meet early next month to appoint a new chairman. Former Fonterra director Jim van der Poel is the frontrunner. Until the new chairman is appointed, former Fonterra executive Barry Harris will be chair.
Meanwhile Waikato farmer Elaine Cook has been elected to the DairyNZ board, replacing Luxton.
Two sitting board members, Ben Allomes and Michael Spaans, were re-elected for another term.
Cook has served as an associate director of DairyNZ; she was the 2006 NZ Sharemilker of the Year and was a finalist in the NZ Dairy Woman of the year award this year.
The Commerce Commission says connectivity options for rural New Zealanders are front-of-mind as it begins a formal investigation into the future of the copper network.
Grand Finalists have been selected, all regional finals have concluded, and the journey towards the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is underway.
Hopes of NZ sheepmeat prices picking up anytime soon in the country's key export market of China looks highly unlikely.
Regional councils are welcoming the certainty for councils in today’s Resource Management Act (RMA) announcement by the Government.
ASB says the decision to sign on to the AgriZeroNZ joint venture came out of a wish to be a part of the solution.
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
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