End of war on farming, say farmers
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
The Government's decision not to proceed with a capital gains tax has been approved by farmers.
Federated Farmers says it is heartening evidence that the coalition government is willing to put well-reasoned and practical considerations in front of ideology.
"It’s clear the coalition partners have listened to widespread concerns that a capital gains tax has too many downsides, including massive administration costs and the potential to put the handbrake on the progress of small and medium businesses vital to our economy," Feds economics spokesperson Andrew Hoggard says.
"It seems to us that New Zealand First has been pivotal in this decision, and we appreciate their pragmatism.
"The Prime Minister spoke this afternoon about new measures to tackle land banking and land speculation, an approach that has a much better chance of tackling our housing affordability issues than a CGT."
Federated Farmers is pleased the Government is committing to looking at the compliance cost reduction ideas mentioned in the Tax Working Group’s report.
"There were a number of these that are worth looking at, including increasing various thresholds (e.g., for provisional tax) and simplifying depreciation and Fringe Benefit Tax, and removing resident withholding tax on close company-related party interest and dividend payments," says Hoggard.
"We’re also pleased with the assurance that there will be no resource rental for water or fertiliser tax — at least in this term of Government."
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.