Editorial: War's over
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
OPINION: As we were going to print, National, ACT and New Zealand First MPs were preparing to converge in Wellington. Hopefully, by the time you are reading this, a stable National/ ACT/NZ First Government is in place.
For the country’s farmers, a significant change in government was what they were after. The majority of farmers will be happy to see the change. Also, the three parties now in government have farmers as MPs. In ACT’s case, the former president of Federated Farmers, Andrew Hoggard, will be expected to spearhead its push for a better deal for farmers on all fronts.
The farming sector believes that National’s timeframe will enable the sector to get its numbers in order and for mitigating technologies to advance further.
For dairy manufacturers, the focus will be on areas of trade, food safety, biosecurity and climate. Existing free trade agreements will need to be fine-tuned to ensure they deliver on their intent. Farmers would also want new doors opened into markets which are currently not covered by FTAs.
An efficient and effective risk-based food regulatory system, a sound national infrastructure strategy that prioritises efficiency and therefore productivity in export supply chains, and a focus on biosecurity to retain NZ’s relative freedom from many livestock pests and diseases are also high on the agenda for dairy processors.
DCANZ members, like Fonterra, will hope that any domestic policy approaches for methane and nitrous oxide are effective.
Farmer representatives are ready to get to work with the new government to get the rural sector cranking again. Many will be hoping that a new era begins this week for the all-important agriculture sector.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait is showing no sign of bouncing back from its financial doldrums.
OPINION: It seems every bugger in this country can get an award these days.