Narrowing agricultural pathways not a smart idea
OPINION: Last week, Education Minister Erica Stanford sent a clear, but troubling message to New Zealand’s students: if you’re academically ambitious, agriculture might not be for you.
Jo Luxton took over the shadow agriculture portfolio from long-time Labour MP and former agriculture minister Damien O’Connor following the 2023 election.
She is also the party’s spokesperson for agriculture, biosecurity and rural communities.
She says that growth can only be sustained when it is fueled by investment in research and development, evolving data management systems, strong educational pathways, high retention rates, and well-supported communities.
“In other words, we need to keep funding the basics or we will be overtaken by our competitors,” Luxton says.
She says that several moves by the Government in recent months work against the long-term solutions the primary sector needs.
The Gene Technology Bill in particular caused controversy earlier in the year because many stakeholders – farmers, politicians, and lobby groups alike – found the consultation period too short in part because it fell over the Christmas and holiday period.
The proposed legislation would see greater use of genetic modification and gene editing technology outside of the laboratory.
Luxton claims National hopes farmers are too busy to look past its slogans to see “what’s really happening”.
“I’ve met with farmers and local communities, one thing stands out: the human factor matters.
“Rural communities face complex social and environmental challenges, and this Government is not acting fast enough to develop policies that are both practical and attuned to the issues they face,” she adds.
Luxton says it’s important that policy decisions impacting the primary sector consider the impacts on humans from all angles, including mental health, healthcare, rural infrastructure, and the environment.
“Getting the balance right on regulations and developing new trade relationships are important pieces of the puzzle, but they aren’t the entire picture,” she says.
Luxton says New Zealand’s agriculture sector requires policies that “connect the dots between regulation and the practicalities of farming life”.
“We must invest in long-term solutions to boost the wellbeing of our rural communities. Sustained growth in the agricultural sector won’t come from rushing ahead, but from careful planning, long-term investment.”
