Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
Federated Farmers has set out what it calls the rural roadmap that it wants the next government to implement.
The farmer lobby's policy platform for the 2023 election highlights 12 key policy changes it wants put into action. Feds says for the past five years, farmers have been living through a period of unprecedented regulatory change.
"A swathe of new requirements for improving water quality, biodivdersity and the climate have taken a real toll on the wellbeing of our rural communities," Feds president Wayne Langford says.
"The intent of these regulations may have been good, but the reality of the execution and implementation has been nothing short of disastrous for our farmers. The end result is a long list of highly prescriptive and unworkable rules that ties us up in red tape and heap on unnecessary costs."
Langford says NZ farmers have a great story to tell when it comes to their economic contribution - such as the jobs they create and the work do to improve environmental outcomes."
But he points out that current farmer confidence is at record lows and his organisation is determined to turn this around by bringing real solutions to the table.
"This election we're being very clear about what needs to be done to restore farmer confidence, support thriving rural communities, improve environmental outcomes and unlock the potential of our primary sector," Langford says.
"The best thing about our policy priorities is that they won't cost the taxpayer a dollar. We're just asking for the new government to get the settings right, so farmers have the confidence to invest, grow, and get on with what they do best - farming."
Feds policy priorities for the new government are:
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.