End of war on farming, say farmers
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
News reports that the United States' Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) is to increase export subsidy support to US$60 million, is a misdirection of voluntary farmer levies in the eyes of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.
"We need to clear this has nothing to do with the United States Government," says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers dairy chairperson.
"Cooperatives Working Together is a voluntary producer-funded national program developed by America's National Milk Producers Federation. While designed to assist family farms, New Zealand's farmers know from bitter experience that programmes like this actually hurt family farms.
"You end up maximising energy to get a subsidy instead of listening to markets.
"It also means the United States' taxpayer is paying twice over. The multi-year United States' Farm Bill, now in the Houses of Congress, is costed at something like US$1 trillion. What CWT is doing is cross-subsidising exports through what US consumers are paying domestically.
"While it may be voluntary for producers, it is less voluntary for US domestic customers.
"Money like this would be far better invested in helping dairy farmers adapt systems to a no-subsidy future. Farming is a business after all. In that regard Federated Farmers would be pleased to work with US farming groups to show how we have adapted and evolved.
"There is plenty of scope for us all but that must be based on the market place being an even playing field, Leferink says.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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