Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
In a new policy announcement made this morning, the ACT Party says rural regulations will be the first to hit the chopping block if the party is elected.
According to party leader David Seymour, who announced the policy from a farm in Rotoorangi in the Waikato, the primary sector would be one of the first four sectors to undergo what he calls a ‘red tape review’ by a new Minister and Ministry of Regulation.
“New Zealand’s biggest export industry is tied up in endless red tape,” says Seymour. “If we want New Zealand to have a prosperous future and a productive economy, we need to let farmers get back to what they do best.”
Already set for the chopping block if ACT is elected, Seymour says, are the following:
“There has been an avalanche of red tape and regulation on farmers. These are just the big ticket items, every farmer we’ve spoken to seems to have a fresh example of a new compliance course or form of paperwork they’re having to complete to keep the Government happy,” says Seymour.
He says ACT would task its Ministry of Regulation with working with the rural sector and understanding the burdens farmers face from different regulations.
“Many of the regulations that farmers need to comply with are designed to achieve similar objectives and should be simplified to avoid wasted effort. Other regulations were obviously written by Wellington bureaucrats who have probably never worn gumboots in their life,” he says.
“Farmers need real change,” he says.
“Farmers in countries who are our biggest trading partners are not paying a price for their methane emissions,” says Seymour. “Under ACT, New Zealand farmers wouldn’t either.”
“If we set more aggressive targets than other countries, it will not only harm the economy but also force activity to less efficient jurisdictions, increasing global emissions,” he says.
“ACT wants to see the rural sector given the respect it deserves. That means letting farmers get on with what they do best.”
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.
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