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 He Waka Eke Noa Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership and Māori Agribusiness Partners are calling on the Government to change key aspects of its proposal on agricultural emissions pricing.
However, Federated Farmers has decided not to back the joint submission from the 10 partners.
It recommends changes that would develop an emissions pricing system that creates incentives and opportunities to reduce agricultural emissions while maintaining the viability of the primary sector.
The submission recommends changes to price setting, governance and transitional arrangements that would see decision-making on emissions pricing balance the socio-economic impacts on the primary sector and wider economy with emissions reductions.
The submission notes that the Government proposals as they stand are not acceptable to the Partners or the farmers and growers they represent.
The submission says artners remain committed to working in good faith with government and Māori to design a practical cost-effective farm level system for enabling the agricultural sector to play its part in responding to climate change. It makes recommendations intended to achieve an effective and enduring system that Partners can support.
The joint submission is from Apiculture New Zealand, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Dairy NZ, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, Deer Industry New Zealand, Federation of Māori Authorities, Foundation for Arable Research, Horticulture New Zealand, Irrigation New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association. Federated Farmers of New Zealand has decided not to be part of the joint submission.
Independent chair Sarah Paterson says Partners have worked hard to develop a shared view on issues raised by the Government proposals and it is disappointing Federated Farmers has chosen not to sign the joint submission.
“The Partnership came together because Partners could see that by working together they could achieve a better outcome for the primary sector as a whole than they could have done separately. We are much stronger as a sector when we all work together.
“Partners will continue to work constructively and collectively in the spirit of partnership to explore common ground and solutions.”
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.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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…