Tuesday, 24 March 2020 08:31

COVID-19: Ag’s time to shine — Milne

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Federated Farmers president Katie Milne. Federated Farmers president Katie Milne.

Federated Farmers president Katie Milne says it's agriculture’s time to shine by stepping up now “when the country needs us more than ever”.

As the country moves towards the highest alert level in the fight against coronavirus, Milne says the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made sure that agriculture is “all in” as essential services.

Now the farming sector has to step up and function under strict distancing policies on farm “so we are safe while we continue producing food”, she adds.

“As we are in a biological system where the seasons don’t wait things need to keep happening in line with seasonal requirements,” she told Rural News.

She warns these are strict times and only “work” can be done.

“No gallivanting off socially - we are expected to observe lockdown rules after work just like the rest of our communities. 

“None of us has the right to flaunt this as it could put the health of others at risk.”

Milne says a lot of work still needs to be done to iron out finer details with Ministry of Primary Industries around the current situation.

“Everyone is working well together on this to get it right.”

More like this

Bye bye Paris?

OPINION: At its recent annual general meeting, Federated Farmers’ Auckland province called for New Zealand to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

What's going on?

OPINION: On the 2nd of May, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced that the 'government remains on track to ban full farm-to-forestry conversion'.

Featured

Case IH partners with Meet the Need

Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.

25 years on - where are they now?

To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.

Rockit Global appoints COO

Rockit Global has appointed Ivan Angland as its new chief operating officer as it continues its growth strategy into 2025.

National

Machinery & Products

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Keep it up

OPINION: The good fight against "banking wokery" continues with a draft bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and…

We're OK!

OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter