Rural Vote Debate on Q&A: Substance or Just Platitudes?
It was billed as a chance for all the political parties to woo the rural vote, but question marks hang over just how effective this was.
The Feds say the campaign draws attention to the appalling behaviour of what is only a very small number of individuals from within the New Zealand dairy industry and associated industries.
"To do this only days after the Ministry for Primary Industries and seven industry bodies, including Federated Farmers, announced they would work together to ensure that New Zealand's high standard of Animal Welfare codes are adhered to by the full 100% of industry participants makes it clear that SAFE's campaign is not about highlighting any issues, but instead trying to hurt our industry," says Federated Farmers dairy industry chair Andrew Hoggard.
"What has come through loud and clear this week is that most people understand that this is a very small minority and that bobby calves are a reality of dairy farming.
"I think most New Zealanders will join us in being extremely disappointed about SAFE's UK campaign and the damage it is looking to do to an industry that is the backbone of the New Zealand economy and the livelihood of our country's 11,500 dairy farmers and thousands more who work in and support the industry," says Hoggard.
