Southland farmers want Fish & Game reprimanded
Southland farmers want the Government to strip Fish & Game of their advocacy function and refocus the organisation on the management of hunting and fishing.
Farmers are letting their fly-fishing rods do the talking this summer. Many refuse to buy trout fishing licences in protest against Fish & Game’s political attack on the dairy industry.
Recently Southland Fish & Game ranger Cohen Stewart blamed bad weather for a decrease in licence sales in the region this season.
However, farmers quickly disagreed online, many saying they had not bought a licence in protest against the organisation’s anti-dairying stance.
A dismal start to summer in the south wasn’t a factor in farmers’ decisions not to buy licences; F&G’s unfair assault on dairy farmers and then turning a blind eye to poor urban water quality are the reasons.
Federated Farmers says the Government’s latest investment in road resilience is a positive step toward protecting rural communities and freight routes from increasing severe weather events.
The stockfood storage capacity of J Swap Stockfoods continues to grow in the South Island with the opening of a new store that boosts its capacity in Christchurch and work starting on another store in Southland.
Fonterra has lifted and narrowed its full year forecast earnings range to 60-70 cents per share after a strong quarter, supported by robust milk production, strong shipment volumes and continued demand across its Ingredients and Foodservice businesses.
Fonterra has announced it will continue with the planned expansion of its organic business into the South Island.
New Zealand farmers have been told they all have amazing people on their farms and have been urged to be “that one person” that can make a huge difference to those going through tough times.
OPINION: For thousands of Southland farmers, this week would have tipped them into the non-compliant category when it comes to following regional freshwater plan rules. But the Government has stepped in to give them the clarity they deserve.