The politics of climate change
OPINION: The Financial Times, a major international newspaper, featured New Zealand on its front page at the beginning of June. It wasn't for the right reasons.
OPINION: The united and unprecedented stand taken last week at Parliament was historic.
Read: Primary sector’s commitment to reducing emissions.
It brought together farmers, growers and other related sectors seeking to solve the vexing problem of agricultural emissions.
Eleven different groups, including Maori, took a united position on climate change, even daring to challenge one recommendation by the Independent Climate Change Commission (ICCC) set up to advise the Government.
Faced with a hijacking of the climate change issue by greenies and others, the agri sector got its act together in style.
They produced the document He Waka Eke Noa – Our Future in Our Hands, which fairly summarised their intent. They stated their collective commitment to working with the Government in good faith to deal with climate change.
They acknowledged the urgent need for change and pointed out that farmers, horticulturalists, processors and others have not been idle but have spent huge sums of money and much time on searching for solutions to the many challenges.
Given that the sector intends to be part of the solution, we hope the Government will sensibly listen to its suggestions.
They have quite rightly given a thumbs-down to the ICCC rather bluntly recommending an arbitrary levy on farmers at processor level – meat and dairy companies and the like. This would be too disconnected from farmers to effect the behaviour changes needed on farm to deal with emissions, they said.
The groups instead favour developing closer relationships with farmers so as to bring them onboard as part of the solution.
Climate change is complicated, and for farmers to buy into the solution they need coaching and helping on a personal level. The Government may be wise to accept this offer if they are serious about working with farmers.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.