Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
While the new Coalition Government hopes to make fast progress in its first 100 days on key commitments made during the election campaign, farmers are hoping that ministers are clear about the primary sector’s priorities.
Leaders of Federated Farmers, Beef + Lamb NZ and DairyNZ have agreed their five key advocacy priorities over the next three months. These five priorities are all included in the coalition agreements agreed by National, ACT and NZ First.
Priority 1 is the repeal and replace the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM). This policy statement is a direction from David Parker to Regional Councils to set rules on farmers to meet new national bottom lines for freshwater and give effect to ‘Te Mana O Te Wai’.
Feds president Wayne Langford says a recent report has shown the new standards are unachievable even in areas of native forest or National Park.
“Plans developed so far need to implement draconian rules to come anywhere near the new standards. For example, Northland has released a draft plan that places restrictions on farming on land over 25 degrees – around 40% of the agricultural land in Northland.”
Priority 2 is establishing the Rural Regulation Review Panel.
“We want to see this up and running and working on cutting red tape and regulatory blocks for irrigation, water storage, managed aquifer recharge, flood protection and simply the day-to-day running of our farms,” notes Langford.
Priority 3 is to start the review of the unscientific methane targets. These are the targets that don’t recognise methane as a short-lived gas and, if achieved, could require a 20% reduction in sheep and beef production.
Priority 4 is to cease implementation of Significant Natural Areas, and Priority 5 is to repeal the last Government’s two resource management acts and start work on replacement legislation. A new RMA will take time to develop so it is important work starts on this right away, says Langford.
He says they are meeting regularly to discuss strategy and priorities to avoid duplication of effort and present a united front to decision makers.
“The new Government has made a range of very useful commitments. We aim to hold them to their agenda and keep them in touch with our united views on key issues,” he says.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.