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Federated Farmers says the Government's climate change target, announced last week, is an ambitious one for New Zealand in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030.
Feds climate change spokesman Anders Crofoot says this target is in line with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report which says reducing fossil fuel use will need to be the major focus to achieve this target.
However, Crofoot says agriculture will also play its part in developing technologies which will increase productivity while reducing carbon intensity of primary sector products.
"Agriculture takes its responsibilities as NZ and global citizens seriously and the primary sector already has an impressive track record in achieving carbon efficiency.
"We continue to play a role in meeting the world's demand for nutrient-dense protein and finding solutions which address climate change concerns and the food security dynamic.
"To date, the amount of carbon released in producing a block of butter here in NZ is the lowest in the world. It is important to make sure our approach to reducing NZ's emissions does not undermine our critical export industries.
"Climate change does not begin or end at NZ's borders and NZ plays a world leading role as one of the most emission-efficient food producers and exporters in the world."
Crofoot says NZ's primary sector has made huge gains in carbon efficiency in the past three decades, through enhanced animal and plant genetics, and greater understanding of livestock digestion and metabolism. He says our agricultural emissions intensity has declined at least 20% since 1990.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
A new nationwide survey shows New Zealanders expect farmers and food producers to play a leading role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but also gave them higher marks than most industries for their current efforts.
Federated Farmers says the final report into banking competition is a significant step forward for rural New Zealand - and a vindication of the farming sector's concern.
Farmer lobby group Federated Farmers has announced it is supporting a new Member’s Bill which it says could bring clarity to New Zealand farmers and save millions in legal costs.
A landmark New Zealand trial has confirmed what many farmers have long suspected - that strategic spring nitrogen use not only boosts pasture growth but delivers measurable gains in lamb growth and ewe condition.
It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after seven years. Leo Argent talks with Eric about his time at the organisation and what the future may hold.
It's critical that the horticulture sector works together as part of a goal to double the sector’s exports by 2035.
RaboResearch, the research arm of specialist agriculture industry banker Rabobank, sees positives for the Alliance Group in its proposed majority-stake sale to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
The ACT Party's call for a better deal on the Paris Agreement on climate change is being backed by farmer organisations.
A 50% tariff slapped by the US on goods from India last month has opened an opportunity for New Zealand wool carpets exports to North America.
