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FEDERATED FARMERS' election manifesto released last week is a refreshing change from the past and reflects the more professional approach to lobbying by Bruce Wills and his new board members.
The manifesto is in effect the Feds policy agenda and it contains no great surprises. The top three issues they want traction on by the political parties are water management, rural broadband and science and innovation. All three are future focused and the benefits of winning political support on these three issues alone will be good for farmers and the country as a whole.
What is unusual about this manifesto is that the language used is conciliatory and inclusive and is a far cry from the tub thumping, demanding, whinging style of Federated Farmers in the past. The new board headed by Bruce Wills has not walked away from issues which deeply concern farmers such as NAIT, the ETS and biosecurity. Reform of the RMA and local government also feature. So does employment and high country issues and there's even a call for recognition of bees.
The tenor of the document indicates a desire by the Feds to work with central and local government as well as the community to get solutions to issues, such as water, which are complex and difficult. There isn't a lot in the document specifically about dairying, but it is there under other headings such as water and biodiversity.
One item that strikes a chord is a move by the Feds to encourage more young people into agriculture. There are great jobs in the ag sector, but sadly huge numbers of young people prefer media studies to a qualification that will lead to a real job in the real world of agriculture.
The manifesto is a comprehensive document. All politicians should take the time to read it, as should members of the federation and even those who are not.
At long last the federation is beginning to look professional with a positive, solution- and future-focused document which must be taken seriously in Wellington. As wish lists go, this is pretty good. – Peter Burke
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