fbpx
Print this page
Tuesday, 11 May 2021 11:00

Floating farm sinking?

Written by  Milking It

OPINION: Two years ago, it was launched as the world's first floating platform housing a herd of cows and a dairy, and generated headlines around the world.

But the "floating farm" in Rotterdam is back in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Concerns about animal welfare have again been raised after two cows on the farm in Rotterdam's harbour fell into the water.

A local animal rights group says that it had tried and failed to get a majority in the city council to withdraw the farm's operating permit, calling the project "madness".

The floating farm is promoted as sustainable, recycling the animals' waste on site, and giving an example of urban farming that could produce more food within cities of the future.

But calls for the farm to be closed are growing louder after a second cow fell into the water and had to be rescued recently.

More like this

Plant-based bubble bursts

OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird Ventures, and its products are no longer available in supermarkets.

Exploited by one of their own

OPINION: Milking It believes a recent Employment Relations Authority ruling on the exploitation of three migrant workers from Indonesia highlights a trend in New Zealand – migrant workers being mistreated and oppressed by one of their own.

'Not our fault!'

OPINION: Milking It wasn’t too surprised to hear Kiwis’ trust in media has sunk to a new low.

Avian flu in cows

A lethal form of avian influenza has been confirmed in US dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas, the US Department of Agriculture says.

Featured

An 'amaizing' season

It's been a bumper season for maize and other supplements in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Leaders connect to plan continued tree planting

Leading farmers from around New Zealand connected to share environmental stories and inspiration and build relationships at the Dairy Environment Leaders (DEL) national forum in Wellington last month.

Planting natives for the future

Te Awamutu dairy farmers Doug, Penny, Josh and Bayley Storey have planted more than 25,000 native trees on the family farm, adding to a generations-old native forest.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Migrant farmer 'lets the side down'

An appalling case of migrant worker exploitation on a Southland farm isn't acceptable, says Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre.

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.