Don't put fruit, vegetable production at risk!
Don’t put vital domestic fruit and vegetable production at risk. That’s the message from Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) to the Government.
It's a simple equation: If Auckland spreads its housing into our fruit and vegetable production land - we all pay more for food.
Horticulture New Zealand says if more houses are built on the most productive rural land then we can all expect to pay more for fresh vegetables and fruit.
"We know we need a bigger Auckland, but do we want to pay $10 a kilo for vegetables imported from China?" HortNZ natural resources manager Chris Keenan says.
HortNZ is worried the true cost of uncontrolled Auckland sprawl is not understood.
There is food grown now in Pukekohe and around Auckland which cannot be grown anywhere else in the country at certain times of the year.
Uncontrolled sprawl does not just effect land availability, it also can disrupt water supply by blocking aquifer recharge.
"If that land disappears under houses, then we will either eat imported product at ridiculous prices, or go without.
"Allowing Auckland city to continue to spread on to productive areas is a food security nightmare waiting to happen."
This issue is far too important to allow any political party, or all of them, to use it to score political points.
HortNZ fully supports the efforts of the Auckland Council to establish a Rural Urban Boundary which is based on thorough research, adequate science and established community need.
It also recognises the need for more housing and has already offered solutions to the Unitary Plan independent panel.
"Food security and food production values need to be part of this discussion. Auckland Council is trying to do this and we will continue to work with them where we can," Keenan says.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.
OPINION: The distress that the politicians and bureaucrats are causing to the people of Wairoa and the wider Tairāwhiti is unforgivable.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…