Friday, 16 July 2021 14:50

Clear message for Govt - MP

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Protestors at the Howl of a Protest in Timaru. Protestors at the Howl of a Protest in Timaru.

MP for Southland Joseph Mooney, National, says farmers sent a clear message to the government by taking to the streets in huge numbers at Groundswell NZ protests across New Zealand today.

Mooney was in Gore with National’s agriculture spokesperson David Bennett where a big number of farmers took their tractors and utes to town to show their objection to the government’s unworkable regulatory approach in the farming sector.

“It is a sad indictment on the government that farmers felt they had to take their tractors and utes to town to be heard,” says Mooney.

Groundswell protest Auckland

Protestors in Auckland attempted to converge on the city centre.

“But with the government unwilling to listen to farmers’ concerns they’ve been left with few other options.

“The huge number of farmers that lined the streets of Gore and in centres across New Zealand sent a direct message that simply cannot be ignored.

“It was an incredible and powerful display of what the farming sector thinks of the government’s policies.

“Proposed regulations in the areas of freshwater and indigenous biodiversity and Special Natural Areas (SNAs) are completely unworkable and uneconomic.”

Groundswell protest Taupo

Tractors lined up at the protest in Taupo.

More like this

Farmer vote

OPINION: The coalition Government, already under the pump thanks to poor polling numbers, is facing the ire of its traditional support base – dairy and red meat farmers.

Back off!

OPINION: The inquiry into rural banking practice was welcomed at Fieldays, but Groundswell NZ added a proviso that this must include banks' treatment of agricultural emissions.

Market-led solution for emissions

OPINION: Thanks to the much-needed review of the methane science being announced, the topic of agricultural emissions is back in the discussion along with all the associated misinformation.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Overbearing?

OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…

Foot-in-mouth

OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter