Well said at the shed
Less Wellington bureucracy and more local, on-farm common sense was the focus of recent meetings held in South Canterbury as part of the Government's National Woolshed tour program.
Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson says live exports of animals is a $500m trade that the country cannot afford to do without.
Patterson says the new Government will be working to overturn the ban placed by the former Labour Government.
"We will tidy up legislation so that animal welfare and safety of staff are paramount," he says.
Live cattle exports earn about $320 million annually for farmers and exporters. NZ cattle exports have helped China build their dairy herd, with nearly 135,000 cattle exported in 2021.
However, in April this year, labour banned livestock exports after an independent review said they could damage New Zealand's reputation regarding animal welfare. The reversal of the livestock exports ban is part of the coalition deal between National and NZ First. ACT also supports lifting the ban.
Dairy News understands new legislation around reversing the ban could be tabled in Parliament by the middle of next year.
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.